Red lacquered carved wooden toggle in the shape of a peculiar creature. Did the carver try to create a fish, symbol of Abundance or is this a ‘Dragon Fish’, a mythical animal with a dragon’s head and a fish tail. Dragons Fish were thought to be fish which transformed into dragons after they went through the ‘Dragon’s gate’, located at the source of a river with almost unsurpassable rapids that could only be passed with great efforts. A Dragon Fish therefore symbolizes a wish to be successful during the Civil Service Examinations in order to achieve a ‘High status’. The toggle dates from the late Qing period (1644 – 1912). Length 8.5 cm. Width 1.5 cm. Height 4.5 cm.