Articulated Chinese silver & enamel fish

Charming enamelled silver fish, probably carp. The body is articulated body with the scales overlapping and the fins and tail attached by silver links, which when hanging from its silver chain, gives the piece lovely fluidity. Each overlapping fish scale is individually enamelled and the colours of orange, yellow and green are bright and in perfect condition.

In Chinese culture fish are considered a symbol of luck in several ways. Since the Chinese pronunciation of fish is the same as that of another word meaning abundance, fish are often used as a sign of wealth and prosperity. Fish also symbolise harmony, marital happiness and reproduction because they multiply rapidly and sometimes swim in pair.