Chinese Toggle Depicting Cicada

Slim green-grey blade shape with a toothed top end and pencil-thin lines.

This toggle depicting cicada is from China, and dates to the 19th century. It is carved 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. Softly tapered and pale grey-green, the long narrow piece looks very restrained. The upper edge is cut into small teeth, and the lower end splits into short points. Faint incised lines run down the middle. Brown tinges stain the top and the left edge. It is 1 inches deep and 3 high.

Understated, elegant and a good deal smoother than it looks.