Chinese Toggle Depicting Fish

Small pale creature curls up, apparently asleep, with a red cord trailing behind.

This toggle depicting fish is from China, and dates to the 19th 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. Milky grey-green in tone, this compact animal lies with its legs tucked under and its head resting low. The surface is smooth and softly polished with a few light marks. A dark round bead and a long red cord loop through one end. It is 2 inches deep and 1.25 high.

Napping has been captured here with considerable tenderness.