Chinese Toggle Depicting a Cicada

A chalk-white teardrop wearing a swirl of rust-red scrollwork.

This toggle depicting a cicada is from China, and dates to the 20th century. 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 smooth, tapering body is carved with curling spirals and fine parallel lines in reddish-brown. The stone beneath is bright white and glossy, with a soft rounded edge. The pattern sweeps toward a small curled tip. It is 4 inches wide, 1.75 deep and 1 high.

Quiet shape, loud handwriting.