The Battersea Shield, swastika, solar disc, cross

European Museums, The British Museum

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Swastika and solar disc on The Battersea Shield

The Battersea Shield
Found in the River Thames at
Battersea Bridge, London
Around 350 - 50 BC

The Battersea shield is one of the finest examples of La Tene, or Celtic art, from Britain. It was deposited in the river perhaps as an offering to the Gods.

The shield is decorated with three raised circular panels. The decoration is enhanced with inlayed red glass or enamel. The thin metal and short length of the shield would not have provided adequate protection in battle. Instead the shield was probably made for flamboyant display.

It is made of several bronze sheets and a binding strip, held together with bronze rivets. Originally these bronze sheets would have formed the facing for a wooden base, which no longer survives.

P&E 1857,0715.1

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Supplementary images:

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Swastika and solar disc on The Battersea Shield

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Source:  London, United Kingdom