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Subject:Copper Foo Dragon
Posted By: Tim Thu, Jun 17, 2021 IP: 2600:1700:b20:4280:7

Hey everyone,
I purchased at the estate sale a copper Foo Dragon. It looks like it was taken from a sea bottom. It weighs approximately 20-25 lb. 12 inches tall and 20 inches long.

Please help me understand if it's an antique or modern item.





Subject:Re: Copper Foo Dragon
Posted By: Suzume Sat, Jun 19, 2021

Hi,

To me that looks modern-ish just from the style of it. A lot are made and have been for some time now.

It should be bronze, or at least it's pretending to be. If it's magnetic then it's iron and a modern copy.

Ways to tell: does it smell "old"? (you can drop some water on it), worrying signs in the patina (bubbles, "oily" marks, etc.) caused by acid.

You could, very carefully scratch at the patina (a tiny scratch under say a foot). Basically, the patina should "sink" into the metal. If you can just rub it away or scratch it away with very little effort, then it's been applied recently and is almost more of an overcoat. Only do this if you still have doubts after the past couple of tests.

Some closer photos of the metal would likely help.

Hope this helps,

Regards,


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