Chinese Toggle Depicting Man Carrying Load

Small figure bends under a heavy bundle and dangles from a bright knotted cord.

This toggle depicting man carrying load is from China, and dates to the 19th 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. The color is warm cream with brown mottling at the lower end. A cord ends in a tiny multicolored knot at the top. It is 0.5 inches wide, 1 deep and 2.5 high.

The load is heavy, but the cord has a festive finish.