Chinese Wood Toggle

A glossy dark disc with a ribbed center and tiny wheels, like a very odd bicycle.

This wooden toggle is from China, and dates to the 19th century. It is wood. Wood is one of the more common materials for toggles, and carvers used hardwoods that take fine detail and wear smoothly against cloth. Rounded, mushroom-capped form with a raised loop and tapered stem in the center. Two small ridged discs hang below on curled cords, and the surface is dark brown with red-brown highlights. It is 2 inches wide, 2 deep and 1 high.

Puzzling at first glance and delightful at the second.