Chinese Toggle Depicting a Phoenix

A long-necked bird with a tiny dragon-like creature scrambling across its back.

This toggle depicting a phoenix is from China, and dates to the 20th century. It is jade. The dragon is a popular toggle motif symbolizing wisdom, ambition and prosperity, a five-clawed version represented the emperor, and a dragon with a phoenix suggested marriage and was a wedding gift. The bird sits with a hooked beak and a curling tail, its wings carved in rows of overlapping feathers. A small coiled animal clings above. The surface mixes pale green with dark brown and gray patches. It is 3.25 inches wide, 0.75 deep and 2.5 high.

Everyone needs a small passenger with a plan.