Inrō with Two Standing Horses; Seal and Inscription (reverse) 1734 - 1766

This Inrō, a small, two-part container, was made in Japan between 1734 and 1766 by Kano Naonobu, a prominent artist of the Kano school. The Inrō is made of black lacquer with gold and red lacquer accents and features a standing horse carved from ivory on top. The intricate design of the horses and the meticulous use of lacquer highlights the craftsmanship of the Edo period in Japan. This small, but detailed piece, is part of the collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.