Chinese Toggle Depicting an Angel

A solemn flat-faced figure with wide shoulders and a sash tied at the waist.

This toggle depicting an angel is from China, and dates to the 20th century. It is jade. Many toggles carried auspicious symbols drawn from wordplay, so a monkey, whose word can sound like the word for Marquis, suggested high rank, and a carp suggested success in civil service examinations. A broad, straight-edged form carries a calm carved face with long nose and level brows. Shallow lines mark a belt and the folds below. The pale green stone is polished smooth, with small brown specks at one edge. It is 2 inches wide, 0.75 deep and 2.5 high.

Wide-eyed, wide-shouldered, and never once rattled.