Chinese Toggle Depicting Buddha

Jolly, round-bellied seated man with a robe slipping and a small beast at his side.

This carved wood toggle depicting the Buddha is from China, and dates to the 20th century. Toggles are small pieces that fasten a cord on a belt, and a carved figure is usually shaped compactly, with a pierced channel at the back for the cord. Compact seated figure with a broad smiling face, a bare chest and a heavy robe draped over one shoulder. One hand grips a small animal head at his side. The surface is polished russet red with brown, worn edges. It is 1.25 inches wide, 1.25 deep and 1.75 high.

Comfortably settled and on very good terms with lunch.