Copper alloy, 174.5 grams; 77.26mm x 66.61 mm. Circa 1400 A.D., possibly earlier. A large bizarre mount in the form of a winged quadruped, probably a griffin, gripping a three dimensional plaque or book. The animal is facing right with its head turned to the front; with a stylized face, closed mouth, pointed snout and bulging eyes. The foremost front leg is extended forward and rests on the front of the book. The other projects downwards and grips the bottom of the plaque. The top of the foremost front leg merges into the base of a wing which is molded and incised. Whether this is to represent feathers or the structure of a bat’s wing is not clear. The other wing is visible to the right of the animal’s head. One of the back legs has a small fraction lost in antiquity; the other is angled forwards to hold the back of the book. A bushy tail passes between the back legs and then wraps round the front of the back right leg. The animal has pronounced back haunches and a thin body. The plaque or book has a border round the edge and two rivet holes through it, one still with the iron rivet in situ. The reverse of the mount is also molded though is not as elaborately decorated as the front. This is a historically important object is in good condition and is solid and stable with a dark green English patination. It was probably a decorative addition to a larger object, perhaps a vessel, chest or a very large book. Ref: Lewis, J M Bronze Aquamaniles and Ewers Finds Research Group 700-1700 Datasheet 7. Recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme as SWYOR-596E04. Found September 2007 in Ludford, Lincolnshire. Good Very Fine condition. Unique with no other parallel ever been found in the United Kingdom.