Whimsical Late 18th Century (circa 1780) Csarist Russian parcel guilt articulated fish. The six-inch-long (15.2 cm) fish comes with a maker’s mark for H. Kulshin and a sil- ver purity mark of 88. Portions of the surface have been fire-guilded with pure gold, not all _ of which remains in this case due to 200 years of polishing. The old measure of silver in Russia until 1925 was the zolomik. Pure silver contained 96 zolomiks, hence this fish has an assayed purity of 88 zolotniks divided by 96 zolomiks, or a purity of 0.9166. . ¢ maker, FH. Kulshin, is a recorded 18th Century silversmith, but very little is known _ about him. “ The eyes of the fish are inset with ruby . gas. the iw has been hinged as are the front FF SERVI FEN Ou = Spat MOU-FRE: SATURDAYS 9.5 LM BMA AEST OTP RRR OO LWA fish of silver fins, which rotate. The fish is articulated into eight separate sections. The surface has been hand engraved with detailing to fins, scales and ail. What we have here is most likely an object of whimsey, but similar articulated fish were popular in ceremonial use of the Judaic faith. They functioned as spice holders to be used at the Sabbath dinner’s end. They were popular throughout 19th Century Germany and Eastern Europe for this purpose. The value of this object for insurance pur- would be $2,500. An auction estimate would be $1,200 to $1,500. —— information and object supplied by Ted Pappas of North Vancouver-based West Const Estates Auctions. Call 1-800-463-1195 or 604-878-0489. it your shakes and shingles are: ¢ Curling ¢ Cupping v Splitting wo Falling out w Spongy v Soft V Turning dlack v Covered in moss, mildew or lichen ...then it is time for something ta be done! Have your roof professionally cleaned and restored with North America's #1 roof preservative. Available in two colours: Cedar Brown or Weathered Grey. 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