Featured vintage 1950s? cast iron/metal? vintage doves

Hi, i was at my local thrift shop the other day and went back for an item that i passed up the first time but when i went back it was gone unfortunately. Then i was looking around instead of leaving right away and found these doves/pigeons. I am wondering if these are cast iron or pot metal? If i had to guess mine appear to be cast iron but wasnt for sure. I did find a few that were on google images and i will provide a few links to the ones i found. Also mine appear to be more of a browner patina to them than the ones i have found online. I paid 10.00 for both. If anyone could provide a little more information on age (if they are from the 50s) and if they are cast iron that would be great thanks! I will provide a few link below.

https://www.rubylane.com/item/260004-2999/Japanese-Patinated-Cast-Iron-Dove-Pigeon
https://www.antiquesnavigator.com/d...ied-japan-unique-bird-set-genuine-patina.html

The one one rubylane you will have to scroll down to see the listing.

 

Check them with a magnet

 

Yep, or scratch the bottom of a foot and look for shiny silver.

 

Ok will give both a shot thanks!

 

Please! No scratching!

Debora

 

very nice....

 

My first thought before reading,
Japanese iron. Could be 1960s to today.

Then I saw your links.
The Ruby Lane one is gone.

If you look closely at the second one I think your figures are there.
I didn't read it, How do they know it is Occupied Japan?


Pigeons, not doves.

 

I don't think a scratch the size of a couple of hairs on the bottom of a foot means much in the grand scheme.

 

No, but a simple test with a magnet will answer if they are iron or not, it would be the best first test

 

If non-magnetic, does not confirm brass, bronze, or other non-ferrous metal...

 

cluttered, you have to scroll way, way, way, way down the page to see the listing

 

No it doesn’t, but it will answer if it is iron or not

 

So @rink28 does a magnet stick to it?!

 

I will guess that these are not doves. They look more like grouse. Doesn't matter, as they are really neat birds. For $10.00, I would have bought them twice.

 

Hi, sorry for late response it the magnet does not stick to it.

Thanks brozos!

 

Depending on how badly you want to know what they're made of, you could go forth with a tiny scratch on the bottom of a foot. It's not going to hurt anything and you obviously won't see it when displayed.

Use a magnifying glass to check the color. If it's bright silver, more than likely it's spelter/pot metal. Yellow/gold color would typically indicate brass.

 

These look like heavily patinated brass to me and pretty modern. Have seen similar work out of India.