Enamel Limoges Belthook, France circa 1200

Early enamel belthook (Limoges) depicting a lion fighting a wyvern. Head of the lion is protruding and almost three-dimensional.
Only 30 Limoges beltbuckles known. A rare belt buckle plaque in champlevé, enamelled in blue, light blue, white, green and red. Rectangular in shape, it is decorated with two animals, one with an applique head. The hinge on the left is bordered by a wavy line. Limoges, circa 1200.

References:
E. Antoine et D. Gaborit-Chopin sous la dir. de, L'apogée 1190-1215, Corpus des Émaux méridionaux, t. II, p 253-256. There are around thirty plates and buckles in champlevé enamel from Limoges dating from the last years of the 12th century or the first decades of the following century. The secular decoration on these belt elements illustrates various themes: plants, animals or combat. Here, the two animals depicted are clearly engaged in some form of combat.
Enamels of Limoges: 1100-1350
John Philip O'Neill, Musée du Louvre, Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York) p287

The medallion 'Knight with Falcon' from the Musée Cluny in Paris (inventory number Cl 14697) is similar in style, colours and technique. The head of the knight is also 'd'applique' just like the head of the lion on our buckle. This medallion in Musée Cluny is dated 'Limoges around 1200-1210'.