Fish-form Spice Container
Europe, late 19th - early 20th century
Silver (marked), cast, cut and engraved; inlaid with glass stones
Length: 12.5 cm Height: 4.5 cm
Fish-form Spice Container
ADDITIONAL INFO
A fish-form spice container; scaled body with moveable joints, hinged head lid, eyes inlaid with green stones. The head lid opens to insert the spices. The spice container is marked with two marks; "800" and a leaf-like mark.
There are references to spice containers in early 15th century sources, but the oldest existing example is of the 16th century. Spice containers are known in many forms, the most common is the tower-shaped container, but also flower, fruit, or fish-form containers were used in all parts of the world. In the Jewish tradition fish are a symbol of fertility, abundance and luck. The fish are the first animals to be blessed in the Book of Genesis (Genesis 1:22), and have become a symbol of fertility in Yaakov's blessing to his grandchildren - Ephraim and Menashe.
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