Chinese Toggle Depicting Mother & Baby Cat

Big cat and a small one nuzzle in a loop of limbs and curling tail.

This toggle depicting mother & baby cat is from China, and dates to the 19th 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. Grey-green in tone, the group shows one large animal with a rolled tail curved over its back and a smaller one pressed against its chest. Faces are marked with fine incised lines and round eyes. The surface is smoothly polished with light brown flecks. It is 2 inches wide, 2 deep and 1.25 high.

A cuddle, thoroughly captured and nicely tangled.