Belt Toggle

China
19th-Early 20th century

Old American collection

Chinese toggles, Guajian are the precursors of the Japanese netsuke by many centuries, and acted as counter weights to hang objects from a belt or sash. As the clothing of China before modern times did not include pockets, toggles were attached by a cord to personal items such as tobacco pouches, pipes, eating sets, or other items. Typically worn by men, they are usually made of wood, and take the form of a monkey holding a peach.