Replica, shield

Replica. The Battersea shield is actually the metal cover that attached to the front of a wooden shield. It is made from sections of sheet bronze, held together with bronze rivets. The decoration is contained within three roundels and includes twenty-seven studs of opaque red enamel. Analysis of the chemical composition of the enamael suggests that the shield was made no later than the 2nd century BC. The original was found in the Thames at Battersea in 1857. It is now in the British Museum (British Museum reference 57.7-15.1.). The replica was made by Mr Peter Shorer in 1976, it is a copper electrotype backed with tinman's solder and brass plated. Glass is represented by Humbrol synthes. Back of shield covered with emulsion paint.