Chinese Toggle Depicting Fish

A tapering fish in cream with a ruffled, rust-edged tail.

This toggle depicting fish is from China. 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. The slim body narrows to a pointed mouth, with incised lines marking the eye, gill and fins. The tail flares in a wavy frill edged with dark reddish-brown, and the red spots tip the fins as well. It is 2.75 inches long, 0.25 deep and 0.75 high.

Sleek, a bit streaked and clearly in motion.