Rare Jade Beast on Phoenix Toggle, Han Dynasty

An extremely old and well preserved jade carving from the Han dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD).  We were fortunate to be able to get this piece out of China.  It is museum quality and in excellent condition, considering the age of the piece and that it came from an excavation.  Toggles were used by the Chinese in the same way that Netsukes were used by the Japanese.  They were a symbol of status, and their practical application was as a counterweight to a pouch, hung from a belt-like sash, since their clothing did not have pockets.

     Price: $180.   (#1015)