Chinese Toggle Depicting Scholar Riding Lion

Scholar sits astride a lion in a small, soft, pale bundle of forms.

This toggle depicting scholar riding lion is from China, and dates to the late 19th or early 20th century. It is jade. Toggles originally worn for practical use later became valued gifts and artworks, and the article notes that the netsuke of Japan, a similar counterweight for kimono sashes, originated with Chinese toggles. Translucent pale green, the rounded, upright piece has a figure seated high on a squat animal with stubby legs. The carving is soft and a little hazy, with a drilled hole at the upper edge. A small dark mark shows on the right side. It is 1.5 inches wide, 0.5 deep and 1.5 high.

A very small ride, and a very proud rider.