Chinese Toggle Depicting Rat

A plump rodent with oversized round ears sits ready to bolt from the shelf.

This carved wood toggle depicting a rat is from China, and dates to the 20th century. Toggles in China were worn at the sash to secure a cord, and small animals with compact outlines were well suited to that purpose. The big ears are circular and flat, the eye is small and bright, and the back carries shallow carved lines under a glossy patina. It is 1.5 inches wide, 1 deep and 1.5 high.

Big ears, small budget, enormous personality.