Chinese Toggle Depicting Taotie Mask

Golden openwork plate crawls with scrolls and sports two horn-like lobes at the top.

This toggle depicting taotie mask 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. Warm honey and cream in tone, the rectangular piece has a jagged top silhouette and notched sides. Tight cloud scrolls in low relief fill the front. Cut-in gaps break up the lower edge and a tiny hole sits near the middle. It is 2 inches deep and 1.5 high.

Not one blank space survives, and nobody seems sorry.