Chinese Jade Toggle

Barrel-shaped piece swirls in cream and rust like a wrapped piece of marble cake.

This toggle is from China, and dates to the 19th century. It is jade. The dragon is a popular toggle motif symbolizing wisdom, ambition and prosperity, a five-clawed version represented the emperor, and a dragon with a phoenix suggested marriage and was a wedding gift. Thick and rounded, the barrel has slightly flattened ends. Cream, tan and reddish veining runs across the surface in loose streaks and a few shallow ridges. The finish is smooth and lightly worn, and no carved decoration breaks the plain form. It is 0.5 inches wide, 1.75 deep and 1 high.

No decoration needed when the pattern comes free of charge.