The jade toggle is carved from celadon stone with russet inclusions, skilfully incorporated to accentuate the animal’s back and head. The rat is depicted in a recumbent pose, its front paws tucked beneath its snout and its hind legs tucked close to its body. A hole drilled through the centre allows the carving to be threaded onto a cord and worn as a toggle.
Dimensions:
5.2 cm long, 2 cm high
Provenance:
A private Asian collection
The jade toggle is carved from celadon stone with russet inclusions, skilfully incorporated to accentuate the animal’s back and head. The rat is depicted in a recumbent pose, its front paws tucked beneath its snout and its hind legs tucked close to its body. A hole drilled through the centre allows the carving to be threaded onto a cord and worn as a toggle.
In Chinese mythology and traditional symbolism, the rat is associated with resourcefulness and intelligence. As the first animal of the Chinese zodiac, it also represents the beginning of a new cycle, while its prolific breeding has linked it with fertility and abundance.
Jade carving during the Song dynasty (960–1279) balanced a revival of archaic styles with a renewed interest in lifelike, naturalistic animal forms. Compact carvings captured creatures in characteristic resting poses, combining sensitive modelling with an appreciation of the stone’s natural colour. Small animal carvings attributed to this period include toggles pierced for attachment to a cord, bringing together personal adornment and tactile enjoyment. Compare a Song-dynasty toggle, carved in the form of a rabbit, sold by Bonhams New York, 14 September 2026, lot 27.
| Period | Song dynasty (960–1279) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 5.2 cm long, 2 cm high |
