The palette for the composition has a variety of colors that are used to accommodate the large scene that has been painted. The depth in the scene is fantastic, which was achieved through expertly layering the paints. The detail in the character's clothing and the horses' body language creates great movement and life in the scene. Gold paint is used in the character's clothing, then painted over with oils so that the people who were painted seem to glow. This glow surrounds and envelops everything in the scene and somehow conveys the coldness of winter that is present.
Black lacquer is used to paint the exterior and red lacquer for the interior of the box.
Very thin and intricate gold scrollwork that adds an elegant touch to the box wraps around its sides. The box does not have a hinge and rests on a flat bottom. Currently this box is not signed.