INRO – One hundred horses. Japan Edo 19th century

A 5 section inro. Gold lacquer inro, using hira maki- e to depict 16 horses on a ro-iro black back ground.
Seemingly effortless in appearance, yet highly refined and demanding of skill, Horses are represented in many poses : leaping about, galloping, turning, standing still.
Horses, a zodiac animal, have been used as mounts in Japan since the fifth century. Calling the theme one Hundred Horses, is a symbol of abundance and prosperity.
One of the most Famous representation, that has been used as a reference by numerous artists is the scroll, painted by Kano Tsunenobu circa 1680.

You can see it with thins link :
https://youtu.be/F36LeTqxz5E

Here is another link to a painting by Kano Tansetsu (1654 - 1715) that shows another inspiration for this appreciated subject on inros.
https://asia.si.edu/object/RLS1997.48.3913/

Height : 7,5 cm. 6 x 2,4

Japan Edo (1603-1868), early 19th century