Chinese Toggle Depicting Monkey on Base

Tiny carved creature perched on a patterned box, trailing a black cord.

This carved wood and silver toggle depicting a monkey on a base is from China, and dates to the 20th century. Chinese toggles were worn at the sash to hold the cord of a small pouch or case, and many were carved as animals. Shown here, a small, boxy base decorated with a geometric pinwheel pattern in dark and light tones, with metal-colored edges. A little carved animal sits upright on top and a black cord winds out and loops across the surface. It is 1.5 inches wide, 2 deep and 2 high.

Small perch, long cord, and apparently a big plan.