Little bronze horse

Hi all,I assume this is bronze? However is the age/patina applied/fake? Or does this show real age? What say you? At the head it stands 6cm tall and has a good solid weight. Thank you for any help.

 

Charming little horse. Looks cast brass to me.
The patina/verdigris is applied. It is decorative, not meant to fake. There is genuine wear on the hooves, but I can't see them well enough to give an age guesstimate.

 

Many thanks AJ,really appreciate the information. Was also leaning to
‘applied’ (but for other reasons) So brass and decorative. Thanks again

 

I’m not sure it’s brass as bronze can look as bright as the worn areas on the feet and ear. Looks like solid cast so not a lost wax. It can be a problem solid casting as the thinner legs will cool quicker than a thicker solid body area and can lead to warping.

 

Agree, solid cast. But the lost wax technique can also be used for solid pieces, and often is.

Bronze is generally not as light yellow as brass. It can be just as bright though.

 

Lost wax can be used for solids but they are usually small, this seems a bit big to me at 6cm that could be why the back leg has warped (but that might just be damage from a drop on a hard surface).
Bronze colour is the result of the recipe used to cast so can be a lighter buttery colour and look like brass. I’ve got a model of a miner here somewhere and I’m still not sure whether it’s bronze or brass.