Shield bosses were placed at the centre of round shields and were originally intended to deflect the blows to the shield. They become more elaborate over time and eventually become more of a decorative feature.
This shield is decorated with repoussé work, a metalwork technique which involves shaping very thin, malleable metal from the reverse, in order to create a design in low relief. It was a technique used widely to shape metals in ancient civilisations.
To discover more about Celtic culture, please visit our relevant blog post: Bronze Age Britain.
