Help needed identifying this etsy item

[Silmaril]

I recently bought a "Tibetan silver" dragon on etsy. Not knowing much about antiques or silver I assumed that Tibetan silver was just silver from Tibet. But the definition of Tibet silver  varies. Some class it as a copper zinc/ tin alloy  and others say it's a base metal covered in silver. The item is here

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/797047689/chinese-antique-handmade-tibetan-silver?ref=yr_purchases

 

And here are some pics I took myself.

https://i.postimg.cc/v82WTs07/P1040562.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/pVSFxBdq/P1040563.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/Nfrr0r9Y/P1040567.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/cLRgRyBb/P1040568.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/7Z8JJY0z/P1040569.jpg

 

I have weighed it and it weighs 148 g. It is 49 mm tall and 95 mm long. The seller clams it is from the 1910s.

 

It definitely has some discoloration. It also has a subtle "warmth" to it's luster if that makes sense. I have looked at pictures of "Tibetan silver" by googling it and what is classed as Tibetan silver looks a bit cold in comparison.

 

So I'm confused. I know I should take some etsy wholesale description with some scepticism. I love the item regardless of it's material, but I'm still a little curious!

 

Edited January 21, 2022 by Silmaril

[morezone]

I can say 100% for sure that it's not from the 1910s regardless of what the item is made from.  It could be a replica of an original but since they're bulk selling there's no chance it's an original.  Definitely won't be silver neither due to pricing. Still, a nice looking piece.

 

[Midasfrog]

Honest etsy sales listing should probably read like this 

Made In China late 2021 , base metal in the shape and style of a Tibetan Dragon , with an artificial " Antiqued finish look "

 

Its a good looking decorative item for the price 👍

 

Edited January 21, 2022 by Midasfrog

[Arganto]

Tibetan Silver is like German Silver; not silver. It's base metal made to appear silver-like.

For £16.55 you have a rad looking ornament that may even be a pattern based on an old design. It's very nice, but not a precious metal item. 

Stick a magnet on it. Not the ultimate test but will stick to most metals used for this sort of work 

[Silmaril]

I'm willing to accept the thing is not real silver. Tibetan silver maybe. I own some real silver items and honestly the dragon looks virtually identical to real silver. So, Tibetan silver is clever anyway.

 

As for it being made very recently, I'm sceptical. The store YYSHopGoods on etsy has a large listing and most items do seem like genuine antiques

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/YYShopGoods?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=797047689

And not all antiques have to be expensive. I own a few antiques, like Victorian plates which I've got for £10, and I have an Edwardian chess set which I got for £20. So £17 for a vintage dragon (albeit probably not genuine silver) doesn't seem odd to me.

[DarkChameleon]

You could do unto the Chinese and make a casting from silver of it...lol.