Chinese Toggle Depicting Old Man with Sun Hat

Tall robed man tilts back a broad round hat behind his shoulder.

This toggle depicting old man with sun hat is from China, and dates to the 19th century. It is jade. Jade was generally the most preferred and valued material for toggles, a precious stone integral to Chinese culture since the Neolithic Period and often called the stone of heaven. Slender and standing, the figure wears a long robe, with a lined face and a large flat circular hat slung behind the head. A small creature clings to the lower right edge. The color is a soft pearly white with faint pink and grey tinges. It is 1.5 inches deep and 3.5 high.

He is dressed for sun, and the hat is working overtime.