Chinese Toggle or Cong Bead

Smooth pale cylinder with one small notch at the top, humbly offering no explanation.

This toggle or cong bead is from China. It is jade. Many toggle motifs rely on wordplay, since the Chinese word for bat can sound like good fortune, and the word for fish can sound like affluence. Upright cylinder in cream with soft orange stains running down the sides. The top is cut at an angle to leave a small flat tab. The surface is smooth and polished, with a few faint marks. It is 2 inches high and 0.5 in diameter.

A plain, quiet form that still keeps some secrets.