IRON AGE MINIATURE OBJECT

-400

Incomplete copper alloy miniature shield. The shield is flat and decorated although now in a very poor state of preservation. Both tips are missing and one damaged end is bent over onto the reverse. It is not clear whether this shield was once oval or square. The surface of the shield is pitted and worn however a small raised circular boss is still visible in the centre. There are four further lines of raised pellets radiating diagonally out from the boss. There are perhaps four rivet holes around the perimeter, although since the perimeter is so abraded and damaged it is difficult to be certain.Miniature shields are difficult to date although they are thought to range from circa 400BC to the mid-late 1st century AD.