An icon returns to Lincoln…

The Witham Shield is a masterpiece of British Iron Age art and an icon of Lincolnshire archaeology.  We are delighted that the British Museum will be loaning the shield to Lincoln in a display entitled 'The Witham Shield: A Spotlight Loan from the British Museum' between 13th March and 9th June 2013.  Click here to see more about the exhibition.

The shield was discovered during dredging of the River Witham in 1826.  Although the exact findspot is unknown, it is thought to have been between Stamp End and Washingborough, on land belonging to Rev. Humphrey Waldo Sibthorp.  Although initially reluctant to relinquish ownership of the shield, partly because he 'was endeavouring to collect such curiosities as the Witham might produce', he was persuaded by Lord Brownlow to allow the shield to be given to Samuel Meyrick, a London collector who was building up a significant armoury in London.  When Mayrick died, his collection was sold and the shield passed into the ownership of Sir Augustus Wollaston Franks, who would present it to the British Museum in 1872.

Made in the 3rd Century BC, the Witham Shield is actually the bronze facing of a shield, the original wooden backing having decayed long ago.  A highly decorative object, it is unlikely that it was designed for combat, though displays of wealth and prestige may have been a part of ritualised Iron Age warfare.  The shield features intricate designs, inlaid corals and was originally adorned with the image of a fierce boar.  The exhibition will provide visitors with the chance to not only see the original shield, but also learn about its discovery, manufacture, decoration and significance.

The Witham Valley, especially the section between Lincoln and Tattershall, is an area of immense archaeological interest.  The river has produced a great amount of other archaeological finds, especially from the Iron Age, and a number of timber causeways are known (most famously the excavated example from Fiskerton) from which objects were deposited into the river, including the enormous log boat on display in the museum's archaeology gallery.

This is a unique opportunity to see this iconic object in Lincoln, alongside the other treasures of Lincolnshire's archaeology in the museum.  We hope you be able will join us.

Comments