Toggle thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Toggle

18th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This small carving of a mandarin duck would have been worn by a woman. Since male and female mandarin ducks are inseparable, the bird had become a symbol of marital happiness in China. The motif expressed a woman’s wish to retain her husband's affection forever and have him always by her side.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Nephrite jade, carved
Brief description
Toggle, mandarin duck, nephrite jade, carved
Physical description
Toggle in the form of a mandarin duck
Dimensions
  • Length: 3.5cm
Style
Credit line
Mrs G. B. Roberts bequest
Object history
Bequeathed by Mrs. G. B. Roberts, accessioned in 1902. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This small carving of a mandarin duck would have been worn by a woman. Since male and female mandarin ducks are inseparable, the bird had become a symbol of marital happiness in China. The motif expressed a woman’s wish to retain her husband's affection forever and have him always by her side.
Bibliographic reference
Ming Wilson, Chinese Jades, No. 24
Collection
Accession number
1514-1902

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdMarch 14, 2005
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest