Chinese Toggle Depicting Frog

Warty, round frog squats with a speckled back and a proud little scowl.

This toggle depicting frog is from China, and dates to the 19th 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. Rows of tiny pierced dots and incised lines texture the back of this plump amphibian in pale cream. A heavy fold wraps around the shoulder and legs. A few dark flecks collect in the creases. The base is rounded and smooth. It is 2 inches wide, 1.25 deep and 0.75 high.

A lumpy, round, thoroughly dignified little amphibian.