Bronze Figurine Winged Creature

What do you call this hybrid? Any suggestions on age and origin. There are some writings under the front legs but I'll see if I can remove the base for better view.

 

winged lion

 

Winged lion, symbol of St Mark. Maybe Venetian (or a souvenir thereof)

 

Do we know what the word is? C E something?

 

Weren't winged lions called Griffens?

 

The letters are part of the larger inscription "PAX TIBI MARCE EVANGELISTA MEUS", which translated as "Peace be unto you, Mark my Evangelist".

Pretty much confirms the Venetian connection.

 

A griffin has the back end of a lion and the front end of an eagle.

The winged lion is a very old symbol dating back probably a thousand years BCE.

 

Thanks, MOS!

 

Thanks for all the comments.
What do you think of the age, late 19th?

 

Those are still being made and sold all over Venice as tourist pieces. I've got one.

Winged lions go back to Assyria.

Incidentally, if you're ever googling, we spell them as gryphons here.