A Chinese jade toggle

Spring and Autumn period

Sold with an associated silken box.

H: 2 1/2, W: 5/8 in. (H: 6.35, W: 1.59 cm.)

Provenance: Mr. Chung, Colorado. His father-in-law collected in China prior to 1949. He inherited the collection in 1965.

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This jade ornament is simple yet exquisite. It has a flat, cylindrical shape. It's exterior is covered with smoothly engraved cloud patterns. A large round hole is punched through the middle for a tether to enable its wear. The jade body is calcified due to erosion, bringing variety and richness to its color. A jade toggle can be worn on the chest or waist on its own, or it can be worn in combination with other jade ornaments. As an ancient saying goes, "a jade toggle brings good fortune to the gentleman who wears it during his endeavors."

The Palace Museum, No. 00200475 figure 1;

Christie's, Hong Kong, December 2021, Lot 2747; Christie's, Hong Kong, November 2017, Lot 2749.

本件作品爲扁圓柱形，上下通孔，直身。外壁佈滿以浮雕陰刻技法勾勒的雲紋，線條飽滿流暢；中部打大圓通孔用以穿系。整體造型精緻古樸，紋飾雕琢靈動飄逸，玉質難得而沁色美觀，呈現雞骨白鈣化。玉勒子可單獨掛於胸前腰間，也可與其他玉飾組合掛。古人有云：玉勒子，君子佩之，行走天下，可大福大德。

故宮博物院館藏，編號新00200475 見圖1；佳士得拍賣2021年12月香港拍賣，編號2747；2017年11月香港拍賣，編號2749

Wear commensurate with age and use.