Featured Silver? Sash Closure or Buckle? Dragon? Celtic Knots?

This is ~2 5/8" high, ~2 3/8" wide; weight is 33.3 grams. The wire loops will pass ~2 3/4" material, the wire is 0.075" diameter. There are no markings. I haven't tested for silver, but believe it is; the questions about the creature, the knots, an' its design purpose are all open.
In particular, the 3 knots in the critter's body an' tail, the 'pearl' in the upper-right knot, the split tail, with one end in its beak; note the detail in the eye, among other wee delights. All are part of a story that I am completely unfamiliar with, from an unknown culture.
Something symbolic about it in every aspect, to me at least.
What do y'all see? Thanks for lookin'!

 

Beautiful. It looks like Dragestil or Urnesstil, which is Viking. The Viking style and the Celtic style are both top examples of a greater European style, which is also seen in Frankish and Anglosaxon art.

@DragonflyWink may know.

 

It's definitely attractive, die-stamped, could be fairly recent, or a century old. As AJ has already mentioned, the design likely of Viking or Celtic origin, perhaps based on illustrations in the Book of Kells. Possibly silver, but given its construction and lack of marks, might consider having it tested...

~Cheryl

 

I have learned since posting that it is probably pewter.
I've never seen thin-stock pewter, nor any pewter piece with so much good detail. One source calls it a fibula, a form of garment clasp or securing accessory.

 

It's not pewter, nor a fibula clasp/brooch, it's a sash/belt buckle.

~Cheryl

https://www.google.com/search?q=fib...xMbgHvwfCBwQxLjExyAcVgAgB&sclient=gws-wiz-img

https://www.google.com/search?sca_e...YveK40QtKgLegQIGRAB&biw=1536&bih=791&dpr=1.25

 

Seems I'll have to get it tested for silver then.
Thank you, 'Wink!