Copper-alloy, enamel, 19.69 grams, 44.68 mm. 12th-13th century AD. A medieval plate-buckle with decorative enamel heraldic plate. The loop is kidney-shaped with a slightly thickened couch for the tongue which is formed from a short rectangular-section bar. The plate is folded to trap the belt-end between the two faces, and pierced with two rivets at the outer edge. The enamelled design on the outer face features a an advancing animal with one foreleg raised (passant in English heraldry), its powerful hips and shoulders emphasized. The beast is a griffin, having the body of a lion and the head of an eagle, with raised head and open mouth; the combination of strength, courage and aggression made it an appropriate symbol for warrior knights. Reference: London Museum Medieval Catalogue 1940, reprinted Ipswich, 1993, plate LXXV no.1. Good very fine condition. Provenance: found West Stow, Suffolk, Norfolk in 1983.