Red lacquered carved wooden toggle in the shape of a pair of chili peppers. Chilies were brought to China by Portuguese navigators during the 16th century. The pepper (Lajiao) forms a pun for ‘to beckon’ (zhao) as in to beckon riches (zhao cai). This toggle dates from the late Qing (1644 – 1912) to the early Republic (1912 – 1947). Length 5.4 cm. Width 3.3 cm. Depth 0.8 cm.