Lot 82
**Originally Listed At $250**
South Asia, India, Colonial period, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A charming articulated brass fish, known to collectors as a Medina fish, presenting a captivating, eel-like form constructed with a hollow body composed of scaled sections resembling granulated sleeves. Ingeniously designed, each segment is crafted to smoothly slide within and over its neighboring components, creating the articulated movement of this mechanical fish. Hinges are strategically incorporated along the dorsal spine and ventral length, enabling fluid left and right articulation that extends to the tail. A single, vibrant red glass inlay serves as its eye, positioned above distinct, elongated lips. Size: 8.5" L x 1.5" W (21.6 cm x 3.8 cm)
The moniker "Medina fish" originates from the SS Medina, a vessel tragically sunk by torpedoes in 1917. Remarkably, the wreck's salvage in 1986 yielded a box belonging to Lord Carmichael, the former Governor of Calcutta, containing six of these intriguing brass fish. Their popular designation was subsequently cemented by Graham Turner's seminal 1989 publication, Fishing Tackle for Collectors, which prominently featured an example recovered from the sunken SS Medina on its cover, forever linking these fascinating objects to this historical maritime event.
Provenance: private Los Angeles, California, USA collection, acquired in the 1980s
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#193474
- Condition: Missing fins and proper left eye inlay. Chipping with some small losses to scales and areas of indentations. Nicks and abrasions to surface with some areas of staining. Otherwise, good remaining detail and nice patina to surface.
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| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 + | $500 |