The Celtiberians occupied the central-eastern Iberian Peninsula during the final centuries BC, and are mentioned by several classical authors, though no formal definition of the group is provided. They displayed similarities with, but also significant differences from, the Celts of central Europe, such as those of La Tène culture. Metalwork stands out in Celtiberian archaeological finds, however the majority of these are objects pertaining to warfare, such as horse trappings and prestige weapons. This statuette is more unusual, therefore, in being of religioussignificance. The likelihood is that the statuette was dedicated as a gift to the gods, either in a household or at a temple. Whereas one is perhaps more accustomed to votive figures representing the deities themselves, Iberian figures tend to represent the individual worshippers.
To discover more about Celtic culture, please visit our relevant blog post: Bronze Age Britain.