Topic: Silver or silver plated Fish

[Tigerchips]

Gosh, i thought i had posted these before? Anyway, they are both identical so i'm only posting this one, not really, i just couldn't find the other one, lol.

They are not a pair actually as they are both facing the same way. Anyway, they clean up like silver. The black stuff you can see on it just flakes away when scratched with a finger nail. If it's tarnish, its a strange kind of tarnish. A flakey tarnish, odd.

They are really heavy, although they are hollow.  It weighs 400 grams. They have two small holes in the base, breathing holes like you would find on pottery? There are no mould lines. No hallmarks either.

I did find a similar one...
http://www.925-1000.com/hx_U_L_crown.html

But that one is articulated where as mine is solid stiff. Yes, it's a stiffy fishy. 

I haven't got a clue what they are. I thought maybe knife holders or some kind of weight?

Weights for scales, fish scales. 

[Anne]

I honestly have no idea TC... I've never seen anything like these before. I can't imagine what they'd have been used for either!

[antiquerose123]

Maybe they were just decorative.....or knife rests (??)  What is the length, and height of them TC??  Never seen anything like it either....

[Tigerchips]

7 inches long and 3 inches high.

[keith]

It reminds me of Stingray and the 'fish' people,not much help I'm afraid.

[Tigerchips]

Lol, i wonder if it could be a car mascot? Although the holes are not threaded. 

[Anne]

Rose's topic about mascots has some handy links which might be worth checking then TC: http://www.yobunny.com/pottery/index.php?topic=10924.0

[antiquerose123]

I wonder TC, IF you contacted the V&A murseum too with a quick note, and a picture IF they would have any ideas at all of what it might be, or at least some more ideas, or even they might have a answer for you.

http://collections.vam.ac.uk/

Worth a shot -- and keep us posted...

[Lustrousstone]

Err the tarnish looks like a painted finish...

[Tigerchips]

Err the tarnish looks like a painted finish...

It is kind of flakey, must be black paint. Maybe it's new then.

[Anne]

Just thinking sideways, TC, could they be handles of some kind? You said they had holes in the base - are the holes threaded?

[Tigerchips]

Just thinking sideways, TC, could they be handles of some kind? You said they had holes in the base - are the holes threaded?

No not threaded, maybe they are just small breathing holes, the four fins on the base make me think it's meant to sit on a table or something. Perhaps it could be a paperweight?

[Tigerchips]

This is the first one i've found that looks similar.... Vintage-Antique-Heavy-Solid-Brass-Ornimental-Carp

That one seems to have the same mould but mine looks sharper and the metal on mine isn't brass. It's some kind of white metal.