Can you help identify what this was used for and likely date

Can anyone help me to identify what this swan was used for and the likely date? It has marked on the bottom Sterling Silver Made in England.
swan for silver forum.jpg

Could it have had some sort of material stuffing and been a pincushion? Alternatively perhaps just a decorative object.

It must have been made for export as, with those markings, it could not have been legally sold in England.

So sorry, I don’t know why I put Sterling Silver (I wish) it says Silver Plated Made in England and is very heavy.