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Title: | CHINESE TOGGLE WINNOWING BASKET |
Inventory#: | VE17235 |
Size: | 1.25" x 1.25" |
Country: | CHINA |
Price: | $600 |
Very fine boxwood carving of a winnowing basket with two rats and a lizard. The winnowing basket true to its function symbolized a desire for separating the good from the bad but it also served as a dust bin that would gather food and good fortune. The Rat is also the first animal of the Chinese zodiac and because of its uncanny ability to seek out food and survive famine it is associated with abundance and rice. In this example we can see a hand held gathering brush resting in the larger basket on top of a small pile of grain. Two rats, one in the basket and the other on top stand guard over the hoard of grain. A lizard can walk on walls and ceiling without falling and is therefore admired for its âsticky fingersâ from which few treasures can escape. As odd a grouping as this is to western eyes, to the Chinese who were threatened with frequent famines this toggle would assure the wearer that they would never go hungry. Early 20th c.
WHAT ARE CHINESE TOGGLES? CLICK HERE