Chinese Jade Toggle

A milk-white notched block with a stepped ridge running down its middle.

This toggle is from China. 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. The plate has two square notches on opposite sides and a raised rectangular panel along the center. The color is chalky white with faint brown stains at the creases, and the edges are slightly worn. It is 1 inches long, 0.25 deep and 1 high.

Blocky, balanced and satisfied with its corners.