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.