Antique Dutch Silver Articulated Fish w Perfume Scent Bottle Vinaigrette 19th C.

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Antique Dutch Silver Articulated Fish w Perfume Scent Bottle Vinaigrette 19th C.:
$365.00

All items are vintage or antique with varying degrees of age/wear/tarnish.

This Item:Antique Dutch silver articulated fish with scent bottle.

Measurement: Measures 5-3/4\" long and is about 7/8\" tall at the hinge. The red glass or garnet eyes are about 3 mm across. The bottle measures about 1-7/8\" tall including top.

Weight:47.4 grams with silver bottle inside.

Hallmarks/Stamp: Multiple hallmarks on tail, bottom of bottle, and once behind the gills.I enjoy researching old hallmarks, but by no means consider myself an \'authority\'.Photo #6, marks left-to-right on fish tail: The first looks to be a \'weight of chains\' mark which may have a 3 or an 8 (or even a 9) inside. The photo makes it appear as a number 1, but it\'s truly not. Might mean the weight of the chain which once held this weighed 15 grams (if it\'s a 3). The next mark is a single sword (also seen behind the gills and on bottom of bottle). Used between 1814 and 1906 -guaranteeda silver purity of at least 833 parts per 1000. The third mark with the three Andreas crosses indicates this fish was made (or assayed) in Amsterdam - note the rudiments of a crown above the xxx. The fourth mark appears to be IC, but it\'s really the number 10, presumably indicating 10 penningen or .833 fineness silver. The fifth and last mark appears to be the maker\'s initials, possibly STP, SAP, SIP or some other unreadable permutationthereof. I was unable to find anything definitive in regard to the maker. The maker\'s initials are also on the base of the small silver bottle. I do not know the significance of the etched \'VI\" on the bottle, but that mark (or Roman numeral) is also on the inside of the fish neck, visible when the bottle is (gently) removed. There is apparently no \'date\' letter on this piece of work. My guess, based on feel, wear, style, etc., would be around 1850, with a fair amount of self-granted leeway earlier or later, but is almost certainly 19th century.

Condition:Very good antique condition with light overall surface wear and various degrees of tarnish. The hinged head opens and snaps shut cleanly. The red jeweled cabochon eyes are in great shape with light wear only and are tightly set. The bottle is fine and the (dried out) cork is mostly there. The dorsal fin curves to one side (smoothly and slightly), but I think this may be by design - not sure. Fish is nicely flexible with no kinks (last photo).

Comments:Clearly this fish was intended to be hung or worn around the neck by a chain. Possibly used for snuff or pills. Can\'t imagine a liquid perfume in the bottle (with only a cork stopper), but perhaps it fit much tighter then. Very few examples I\'ve seen still have the bottle. Open and close head carefully after making sure the bottle is properly seated.

Guaranteed to be original & authentic as described. Check out my other jewelry sale and sale items. Thanks!

I\'ll plan to ship this carefully packed via insured USPSFirst Class mail at no cost to you. If you are from another country, you will need to contact me for approval and shipping charges.

Please read my following comments/fine print - I\'ll keep them as brief as I can.

I always ship my items with USPS tracking and will insure or require signature confirmation on some items (at my discretion) for no extra charge.If you are unable to sign for your item, please let me know before shipment.All my items are shipped (full money-back) guaranteed to arrive undamaged, however............ if there is obvious damage to the package or item, please photograph and save the packaging and item for any possible insurance claim and notify me within 3 days or sooner that there is a problem.

If you desire to return an item,pleaseinform mewithin3days of receipt (you have up to 30 days to actually return an item). I\'m agreeable to returns except if you are rude. Remember, I sellvintageitems and there is almost always some amount of wear or possibly some condition issues (which I will note)- I feel I\'m quite diligent in professionally describing my items, but of course will never claim perfection. With that in mind, I encourage you to ask any questions about my items while the sale is underway.