Back to Fish

Fine vintage gold articulated fish pendant with pink gem set eyes

Gold articulated fish with pink eyes

Name: Gold articulated fish with pink eyes
SKU: 2403
Price: 90.00 GBP
Availability: OutOfStock

£90.00

Fine vintage gold articulated fish pendant with pink gem set eyes

The articulated fish made in precious metal is a motif that originated in old Chinese culture, where it symbolised the wish for more of what one desires: luck, wealth or children, for example. The fish were first made as vinaigrettes, their heads opening to hold perfumed cotton, protecting the owner from the malodours of inner city life. Eventually the moving fish was adopted as a jewellery motif and scaled down to be worn as a charm.

This wonderful example is made in yellow gold, and has beautiful engraved details all over, even sweet little eyelashes. He has a very cute face with puffy fish lips, which are set with a gold loop and an oval jump ring. He has pretty eyes set with round cut pink gems, likely synthetic rubies. He measures 42mm including jump ring. He is not the most wiggly articulated fish we have seen and we don’t recommend being rough with him, or forcing his body to bend. But he is a beautiful size, and will make a lovely addition to any jewellery collection.

Hallmarked: no

Indistinct marks to oval jump ring, likely foreign

Tested as gold of at least 9ct

Gross weight: 1.9g

Condition: little dent under chin; little hole in body (see photo #5); overall good

Out of stock

Category: Fish

Related products

Superb 18ct gold fish with red glass eyes

Very fine vintage 18ct gold articulated fish with red eyes The articulated fish made in precious metal is a motif that originated in old Chinese culture, where it symbolised the wish for more of what one desires: luck, wealth or children, for example. The fish were first made as vinaigrettes, their heads opening to hold perfumed cotton, protecting the owner from the malodours of inner city life. Eventually the moving fish was adopted as a jewellery motif and scaled down to be worn as a charm. This wonderful example is likely American made. It has very finely articulating scales all in highly polished, buttery 18ct gold. The gold has a subtle rose undertone. The scales are very close together making the fish extra flexible. A nice closed jump ring is set through the fish's mouth. We love the chunky tail and vibrant red glass eyes. This little fish has twin matching babies available for purchase here.

Clearly stamped '18k' to tail Measures approximately 3.7cm Gross weight: 1g Condition: damage to glass eye; good overall

£150.00 Read more

Fine gold fish with ruby eyes and pearl in mouth

Antique gold articulated fish with ruby eyes and pearl in mouth The articulated fish made in precious metal is a motif that originated in old Chinese culture, where it symbolised the wish for more of what one desires: luck, wealth or children, for example. The fish were first made as vinaigrettes, their heads opening to hold perfumed cotton, protecting the owner from the malodours of inner city life. Eventually the moving fish was adopted as a jewellery motif and scaled down to be worn as a charm. Here we have a superb buttery gold little charm of fantastical form - he is set with a pearl to his lips; his eternal bait. His eyes are set with two lovely flat cut, deep pink rubies, while his body is comprised of hypermobile, engraved scales. His tail has a pretty striped detail. The jump ring has a tiny break where he was cut off a charm bracelet. His face has a nice sin texture.

Measures approximately 3.3cm total Hallmarked: no Tested as around 14ct gold Gross weight: 1g Condition: very good

£120.00 Read more

Enchanting 14ct gold fish with turquoise eyes

Fine 14ct gold fish with turquoise cabochon eyes The articulated fish made in precious metal is a motif that originated in old Chinese culture, where it symbolised the wish for more of what one desires: luck, wealth or children, for example. The fish were first made as vinaigrettes, their heads opening to hold perfumed cotton, protecting the owner from the malodours of inner city life. Eventually the moving fish was adopted as a European jewellery motif and scaled down to be worn as a charm. This imaginative and striking example is likely an import from Portugal. Its beautiful wiggling scales are realistically textured, and capture the movement of a real little fish. The body is in yellow gold, while the bail, head and tail are more pink in tone. The mouth is open in a perpetual gasp. The bail is set to one side so she will sit at an angle on your chain

Measures approximately 5cm including bail Gross weight: 3g Marked 14k to bail Condition: excellent

£200.00 Read more

Fine antique 22k gold fish with red eyes

Extremely fine antique 22k gold moving fish with natural red gemstone cabochon eyes The articulated fish made in precious metal is a motif that originated in old Chinese culture, where it symbolised the wish for more of what one desires: luck, wealth or children, for example. The fish were first made as vinaigrettes, their heads opening to hold perfumed cotton, protecting the owner from the malodours of inner city life. Eventually the moving fish was adopted as a jewellery motif and scaled down to be worn as a charm. This spectacular example is crafted of the highest carat of yellow gold and is Indian in origin. It doesn't move in the way of a typical articulated fish; at rest she sits with a beautiful curve, and when you go to move her you realise her body and tail are articulated to move upwards, so she straightens in a most sinuous and majestic movement that is highly unusual and quite fascinating. Her eyes are set with wonderful mellow red cabochons that blaze out from the yellow of the gold, possibly untreated rubies. Her lip is set with a fine fixed gold loop ready for your chain. Her body is lightly textured, and her flowing tail is scored with pretty pattern detailing.

Measures approximately 5.4cm in length Gross weight: 2g Unmarked 22k gold Condition: very good

£250.00 Read more