Help me ID this metal figural piece

Hi,

It is my first post in this forum. Very cool community here.
Could you please help me identify this metal piece? I’m curious about its purpose. Is it a decorative figure, or does it serve a practical function, such as a sweating tool, wall fixture, or something else entirely?

Thank you!

Best,
Ana

 

Welcome Ana-Think you'll have fun here AND it's a joy to share items w/ kindred spirits !
Wild guess just before I head out the door- East Indian paperweight ? Love the form and patina on the paint/brass-early to mid 20th Cent. But remember they imported masses of these types of pieces in the late 60's early 70's for Us hippies-so could be later (or earlier)?
The true Scholars should be along any second.

 

Size matters !!
& where did you come across this nice item?

 

I'm thinking a funky paperweight..

 

Ditto Komo,and are there any markings (words,logos,etc) of any kind on it ?

 

This type of cast brass with coloured inlay is usually made in India or Pakistan. I have a few Indian kohl bottles like that.

In many cultures both fish and birds symbolize fertility and abundance, so this attractive piece is not just decorative but also a blessing for a home.

Btw, who is your furry friend?

 

das a big cat !!

 

Absolutely

 

Yes your right sorry! Its about 3 1/2 inches from beak tip to tail I've been recently helping clean out the house and sell some items of a long time antique dealer and collector in Mass who had to go into assisted living. This was one of the many lovely items in her eclectic collection. (Im sure I will post some more items soon)
P.S. I was thinking paperweight also, but I was also starting to think maybe nails under the fish fins could hold it against the wall as a hook?

 

No markings I could find ill double check again
That lovely baby was my now gone cat Mimi She was the best.
Now we have a new cat Blazer I will have to share him

 

We always go for big old sickly cats at the shelter haha. I guess we have a type And I guess size matters with cats too

 

All Puss-Cat , all the time !! Our late rag doll friend !!!

.

 

Thanks for the info! Her name was Mimi, she was a cat we adopted and sadly passed away after a short time from DKA (even though we treated her well and regularly with insulin). She was a grumpy sweetheart and sorely missed

I will post some photos of our cat Blazer who we adopted in Feb

 

Heres blazer

 

another handful of feline !!!!!
nice colors , for a tuxedo cat..

 

My sweet Dewi, also a rescue tuxedo, surveying her domain:



Yes, komo, that is one of my Bill Reid print repros in the background.

 

The more cats the better !

 

OMG shes so cute. Wish they could be friends