Medieval Mount

Finds From Wirral

Medieval Mount

This copper alloy decorated mount has us scratching our heads and speculating that the kneeling figure on the left was John the Baptist just before execution and the figure on the right swinging a blade.

Having researched the medieval depictions of John the Baptist it is most common to just depict his head.
An unusual item it has been assessed by the Portable Antiquities Scheme and our speculation was incorrect.
They say that the figures depict agricultural or mining activity and dates from AD1500-AD1700
What do you think  it depicts ?
Interestingly an identical mount has been recovered and recorded on the database. That one was recovered in Derbyshire.
The link to the full database entry is below.