What does "argent 1000" mean when it is stamped into silver?

[caeruliviridis]

What does "ARGENT 1000" mean when it is stamped into silver?  I have a small figurine and that is what is stamped into the bottom.  Realizing that silver is given as a number representing a fraction wherein 999 is the highest possible number, I am a mite confused as to whether my item is really silver.

[davesplace89]

"Argent massif" is used in French to describe silver comparable to .... I take that to mean that 2 poinçons corresponds to 800 p.1000 or 80%?

[femmefan1946]

I doubt there is any silver at all.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel_silver

Note that one of the names for 'nickel silver' is 'argentan'. Given the Chinese origin, I think this is what you have.