Chinese Toggle Depicting Seated Ram

Heavy, tucked-in animal rests in olive and cream, with a swirl on its shoulder.

This toggle depicting seated ram is from China, and dates to the late 19th or early 20th 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. Low-headed and thick-bodied, the compact recumbent animal has a curved horn at the side. The color moves from mossy olive-green to cream and yellow, with brown flecks and a swirling mark on the flank. Polish is soft and even. It is 0.75 inches wide, 1 deep and 1.75 high.

A heavy sleeper, and quite confident about it.