Squirrel dish is it repairable and what's it made of?

I bought this dish with a box of Asian brassware around 30 years ago here in Australia. This is the only piece I've kept. I really like it, squirrels are unusual in serving ware as we don't have them here. I think it's called a nut dish? I've found similar silver ones online (which are stunning!) but none of this exact type, and this is likely much newer and possibly a cheap copy of sorts? This one has no markings, does anyone have anything similar? I think it's silver plated? The squirrel is heavy/ solid. Is the rest brass? Would anyone know if the "brass" can be repaired? I'm keen to use or display the dish but there are black blotches over it. It's got character.

 

Propane torch and silver solder wire. Or just use JB weld, 2 part adhesive - depends on how close to original you want it to be,

 

For tougher cleaning jobs, pull out the ketchup, tomato sauce, or tomato paste. Simply rub a thin coat onto the brass, let sit for an hour or so, and then clean the piece with hot, soapy water.

Not that I've ever had to do this......but Bob Vila thinks it's OK..

 

ARE YOU KIDDING???? All that tomato based remedies are acidic - turns copper PINK! Horrible.
Try it on some copper pennies then you'll see @komokwa before ruining copper pots

 

I thought the tray was brass ?????

sorry for bad information...

 

Oh Hell, Vintage items are pretty thin brass/copper alloy EH? and then nickel plated. Crazy what acidic mediums will do to them.

 

I'll stick to taters for my catsup, from now on !!!

 

No worries at all, it's made me think I could do more research on cleaning. I'm thinking the brass (if it is brass) may be perished, possibly something splashed onto it years ago.

 

Thank you, you're right, it's exactly the same design! I wish mine looked as good as that one. The one i have may be older than I first thought. 1900 would be very exciting. Thank you for your help. Looking harder for a mark now.

 

No stamps underneath unfortunately however this is on the front at the base of the squirrel. May be letters, may be random scratches.

 

If you search for 'WMF squirrel bowl', quite a few will come up: https://www.google.com/search?q=wmf...XoV98KHU2WAEIQ_AUoAnoECAsQBA&biw=1536&bih=754

~Cheryl

 

There are so many!! I didn't even read it as WMF, now seems obvious. I've searched so many times on line but not found anything, and now so many to check out and learn from, thank you. I know what I'll be doing for the next hour or so.

 

As others have suggested this is silverplate.
You need to get a good silver polish. Maas, Smithicone, Wrights,

You can see where it has already started to pit. You need to clean the tarnish off before it gets worse.

 

Thank you, the photos are a bit bright, it's gold in colour, I think I'll try a brass cleaner, was to scared to try anything on it. I agree, would be good to stop the deterioration.

 

I wouldn't.
If it is gold in color, it may be gold plate over sterling.

Go up inside and clean that first. See if you can find any marks like the one shown
above.
.