Archeology is always highly interesting. Here are three Celtic ceremonial shields found in rivers in England. Not meant for actual fighting, because the soft bronze would be easily penetrated, they were instead used for show and display. Burnished to a high shine, and often decorated with Mediterranean coral or red glass, they must have made an excellent show when brandished by a blue tatooed wild eyed Celtic warrior.

This one below is the Chertsey shield, and dates from somewhere between 400 and 200 BC. It was discovered in 1985 by a backhoe digging gravel from an old silted up channel of the Thames. Like the other shields, it was undoubtably thrown into the river on purpose as a sacrifice.

From the River Witham near the town of Washingborough, the Witham shield below was found in 1826. Originally the shape of a boar could be seen on the shield, but the image has faded over time. It is thought that the boar's form was created by a piece of leather attached to the outside, and although the leather itself has long rotted away, it's shadow remained. If the light is just right it can supposedly still be discerned. Can you see it in this picture?
The shield below was found under the Battersea bridge on the Thames, hence it is known as the Battersea shield. The most highly decorated of the three shown here, it's designs are similar to Mandelbrott fractal designs. Comparable to the highest work of art from any age, this is a masterwork of design and form.

Pilloried as wild savages by the Romans, from whom we get most of our knowledge of the Celts, these shields and many other artifacts show that they were in fact accomplished artisans with highly developed senses of design and aesthetics.