Chinese Toggle Depicting Foo Lion

Lion-like creature crouches in a nest of leafy relief, scratched all over with fine lines.

This toggle depicting foo lion is from China, and dates to the late 19th or early 20th century. It is jade. Jade was generally the most preferred and valued material for toggles, a precious stone integral to Chinese culture since the Neolithic Period and often called the stone of heaven. Centered on an oval plaque is a creature with its body covered in cross-hatched lines and its head turned back. Raised foliage fills the upper corners. The color is pale celadon with dark brown deposits settled into the deep recesses. It is 1.5 inches wide, 0.5 deep and 2.25 high.

A very busy picture in a very small frame.