Chinese Jade Toggle Bead

A creamy ring with a dark rim, round as a very old doughnut.

This toggle bead is from China. It is jade. Toggles originally worn for practical use later became valued gifts and artworks, and the article notes that the netsuke of Japan, a similar counterweight for kimono sashes, originated with Chinese toggles. A plump circular band with a wide central hole and thick rounded edges. The surface is pale ivory with brown staining along the rim and a few small chips and pits. It is 1.75 inches in diameter.

Simple geometry with plenty of personality.