Chinese Toggle Depicting Dog

Well-fed creature lies tucked up with its paws under its chin like a loaf.

This toggle depicting dog is from China, and dates to the 19th century. It is jade. Traditional Chinese clothing had no pockets, so people of all social classes, from rickshaw drivers to court scholars, used toggles as counterweights to help secure small bags hanging from their sashes. Resting low on the ground, this pale, rounded animal figure has a smooth, domed back. Delicate raised lines shape the head and one curled foot, and short strokes mark the tail at right. Small light brown flecks scatter across the shoulder. It is 1.25 inches wide, 2.75 deep and 1 high.

Not a care in the world, and a very good loaf.