Chinese Toggle Depicting Shoes

Long, smooth slippers with a sleek finish and a fan of ribs behind.

This toggle depicting shoes is from China, and dates to the 19th century. It is wood. A toggle, or netsuke-style fastener, was worn in China on a cord at the waist to hold a pouch, fan case or other small item. Plainly, a pair of elongated shoe forms with broad oval hollows lined in a darker, matte tone. Parallel ribs fan across the heel end, and a single groove wraps around the base. The sides show a lustrous, warm brown with soft grained streaks. It is 0.75 inches wide, 1.5 deep and 0.5 high.

Polished by hands that could not stop touching it.