'The Horrible Snow Cat'. Albert Dumouchel. 1969.

This small object in the shape of a praying mantis is actually an incense burner. Crafted in Japan during the 19th-century Meiji period (1868–1912) from iron with a gold and silver lining, it currently resides in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. These types of articulated metal animal figures are part of a tradition known as jizai okimono. Jizai means the ability to move freely or as desired, while okimono refers to a decorative object intended for display. This tradition was closely connected to samurai armor makers. As the demand for war declined, some metalworkers applied their skills to figures of animals, insects, crabs, dragons, and birds instead of armor. These movable forms were initially created as novelty objects for samurai circles. During the Meiji period, however, they evolved into highly sought-after Japanese export items in the European and American markets.