I.D. please, winged lion and book.

[gvang]

Hi all,

I’m from Holland and I was on holiday in your lovely country for two weeks, and took my MD with me.
Some things I dug-up I’ll show you and hope you can help me out to date and explain what it is…..
The first is a silver plate winged lion with a book (?) on his right leg.

Thanks Gerard.

[The Doc]

That's unusual.

The lion is the symbol of St. Mark, since the Saint began his Gospel with the Baptist’s voice rising in the desert like a roar pre-announcing the coming of Jesus.

 As a consequence, the lion became also the symbol of the Most Serene Republic of Venice.The lion is usually represented holding the book of the Gospel on which is written: PAX TIBI MARCE EVANGELISTA MEUS that is PEACE BE UNTO YOU, MARK MY EVANGELIST.

if the book was open it meant peace, if the book was closed, it meant war.

I guess this may be a furniture mount, and post medieval, but not very sure on this.

[gvang]

Hi peterh,

Thanks for all this info. The lion is in the flag of Venice.
So it was peace in that time, the book is open. 

Thanks again from Holland, Gerard.

[geordiefred]

Not sure on the id leave that to the experts ,but what a super find well done m8