Chinese Wood Toggle

Four little carved men, tumbling together in a knot of limbs and good humor.

This wooden toggle is from China, and dates to the 19th century. It is wood. Carved wooden toggles were made in many forms, from simple shapes to small sculptures, and they are related to the Japanese netsuke. Compact carved group of small figures with round heads and bent limbs, locked together in a square arrangement with an open center. The surface is polished dark brown with warm reddish highlights. It is 2 inches wide, 2 deep and 0.75 high.

A friendly scrum with no obvious referee.