Skip to main contentDescriptionSet of three silver articulated fish. Heads open on a hinge. Spice boxes, called besamim boxes, were used during the Havdalah a ceremony concluding the Jewish Sabbath, or Shabbat. Sweet smelling spices, like Cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg were put inside and passed among those present to comfort their souls as Shabbat was ending. A) green (glass?) eyes. B) garnet (red) eyes. C) amethyst (purple) eyes.
Articulated Fish Besamim Boxes
Artist/Maker
Artist Unknown
DateA) c. 1900, B and C) c. 1885
MediumSilver, glass (A), garnet (B), amethyst (c)
DimensionsOther ((a) Largest Fish): 3 1/2 x 3 x 16 in., 1 lb. (8.9 x 7.6 x 40.6 cm, 16 oz.)
Other ((b) Medium Fish): 4 1/2 x 3 x 9 in., 1 lb. (11.4 x 7.6 x 22.9 cm, 16 oz.)
Other ((c) Small Fish): 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 7 1/2 in., 0.5 lb. (8.9 x 6.4 x 19.1 cm, 8 oz.)
Credit LineGift of Eliza and Thomas Chrystie, National Museum of Wildlife Art
Object numberW2003.050
ClassificationsSculpture
Keyword
Subject
On View
Not on viewRobert Lougheed