Monster-fish Pendant. Enamelled gold jewel set with emeralds, rubies, garnets, amethysts and pearls. Spain or Paris, France, 19th century. H. 8.7cm. British Museum WB. 158. Bequeathed by Baron Ferdinand Rothschild. © The Trustees of the British Museum.

The scaly body and tail of this massive fish are executed in white enamel with the pattern of the scales reserved in the gold. The tail narrows, curling in a loop and terminating in a double fin