A hand-carved wooden eagle has been stolen from a church in Devon.
Rev Andrew Thomas, of St Paul's in Yelverton, said the sculpture was sawn off a lectern on Monday evening.
Mr Thomas said there had were clear signs of sawing on the carpet and described the theft as "deeply sad".
Devon and Cornwall Police said the "local team are making inquiries".
"I was deeply sad that someone thought this act of violence and entitlement was something that was ok to do," Mr Thomas said.
"We work very hard here at St Paul's Yelverton to make the churches as inclusive and welcoming and open as we possibly can.
"So, the fact someone thought this was a great thing for them to do, to come in and do this, was deeply, deeply sad and really quite upsetting.
"It's a unique piece, it's clearly been carved by hand sometime in the past.
"We don't know how old it is, we think it is an antique.
"It is, in that respect, irreplaceable, so, yes… there is a little bit of anger and a little bit of annoyance."