Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid. Medieval Limoges square shaped gilt copper-alloy and enamelled buckle plate. Decorated with a finely detailed standing facing Leopard with tail swept upwards. The animal is rendered in high relief with a dynamic, stylised pose, characteristic of Limoges metalwork. Plain reverse side with integral fixing points and perforations for attachment to a leather strap. -> Limoges enamel fittings of this type were widely prized in medieval Europe, with animal motifs such as the leopard valued for their heraldic and symbolic associations. Size: ± 30,6 x 31 mm Condition: in very good condition. The front retains areas of the original gilding, with surviving traces of coloured champlevé enamel within the recessed fields. The surface shows signs of wear, consistent with age and use. Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format). -> Limoges enamel refers to finely crafted copper-alloy objects decorated with vitreous enamel, produced in and around the city of Limoges in central France, primarily during the 12th and 13th centuries. Using the champlevé technique, designs were carved into the metal, filled with coloured enamel, and often enhanced with gilding. These works were widely prized in the medieval period and remain highly valued and sought-after by collectors in the present day. -> In the medieval period (12th–13th century) the leopard carried strong symbolic and heraldic meanings, particularly in Western Europe. The leopard was associated with power, courage and martial strength, and was often used to signify a fierce yet controlled warrior spirit. In medieval bestiaries, the leopard was described as swift, noble and formidable, combining the strength of the lion with agility and speed. Because of these qualities, it became a popular emblem among the nobility. In heraldic contexts, the leopard was also linked to authority, vigilance and dominance, and was commonly employed on arms, belts and fittings worn by elite individuals. Its presence on personal items such as buckles or mounts could serve as a statement of status, lineage and chivalric identity. As a result, leopard imagery on Limoges enamel fittings would have been both decorative and symbolic, reinforcing ideals of nobility, strength and prestige valued in medieval society.