Chinese Toggle with 2 Beads

Fat dark spindle with raised bands and a pair of beads wears its red cord casually.

This toggle with 2 beads is from China, and dates to the 19th century. It is jade. The dragon is a popular toggle motif symbolizing wisdom, ambition and prosperity, a five-clawed version represented the emperor, and a dragon with a phoenix suggested marriage and was a wedding gift. Deep brown with bold raised ribs, the spindle-shaped body carries two lozenge-shaped diaper patterns in the centre. A round dark bead sits at each end, and a thin red cord loops out from one side. The surface has a rich, aged gloss. It is 0.75 inches wide, 0.75 deep and 2.5 high.

Compact, serious, and very pleased with its bead jewelry.