Identifying metal? A vintage or antique Ganesha statue?

I have a vintage (or antique) Ganesha statue my Mum bought in India in the 60s, but not sure what it's made of, and it needs a good clean (dust, dirt, but no rust) so we want to ID it first.

It's small, about 20cm tall, black-ish bronzey colour, but it weighs A TON so thinking iron. Is there a test for iron, cast or wrought? It has no mold marks or seams, though. The underside of the base is extremely pitted and rough, but the exterior is very very smooth and polished, its a solid statue, not hollow.

I have photos but I am on mobile right now so I'll add pics in the morning.

 

Hi,
Test for all kinds of iron with a magnet.
greg

 

Many of those brass statues are filled with sand.

 

Tried this, forgot the magnet test, but it didn't react so now I'm stumped. I've now added photos!

 

In real life it is very dark, a steel grey, with flash or direct light its a bronze colour. There's no rust but it has a crusty white and green layer under one arm.

What do you guys think its made of? I haven't weighed it yet but it's aeound 800grms, its incredibly heavy.

 

Either bronze or brass with applied patina. The underarm coloration is verdigris.

 

Indian brass is so hard to date because they've been making the same exact thing for hundreds of years. This does not look that old to me.

 

The visible seams say "tourist" piece. Older ones and those made for sale to believers are much more finely crafted. My son-in-law is Indian and the ones he has are really nice.

 

Thanks! I knew it wasn't old, it wasn't sold as such, but was unsure of the metal and other identifying features.

 

A short scrape underneath where not too noticeable will id if brass. Not very well detailed at the fingers and other areas
Tourist piece. A lot of touristy brass ware comes out of India