The Battersea Shield

Description

The Battersea Shield is a remarkable piece of bronze metalwork, made circa 350 BC in Britain. This replica has been created from a mould taken from the original artifact, reproduced in every detail using bronzed resin and hand-applied red enamel colour. It measures 750 mm x 345 mm and has a suspension hook applied to the rear. As the name suggests, it was located in the River Thames at Battersea. The original is in the British Museum. The decoration is concentrated in the three roundels. A high domed boss in the middle of the central roundel is over where the handle was located. The La Tène-style decoration is made using the repoussé technique, emphasized with engraving and stippling. The overall design is highlighted with twenty-seven framed studs of red glass 'enamel' (opaque red glass) surrounding swastika emblems thought to have been associated with good luck and also "solar energy". This symbol was known as the whirling sun in ancient times.The dominant repoussé forms on the shield are the palmette and interlocking S-motifs.