Case (Inrō) with Design of Three Horses Standing (obverse); Saddle Ends and Riding Whip (reverse) 19th century

This 19th-century inrō, a type of Japanese container, was crafted by Kakōsai. The inrō is a small, cylindrical box with a design of three horses on the obverse and saddle ends and a riding whip on the reverse. The design is rendered in gold and black lacquer, and the detail of the horses’ anatomy is particularly striking. These small containers were typically used to hold medicine, seals, and other small objects. This inrō, housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, is a fine example of the craftsmanship and artistry of 19th-century Japan.