The British Museum entrance
This is a horned helmet or head dress from about 100BC that was found in the River Thames at the Waterloo Bridge area. The head dress was probably placed in the Thames as a religious offering. The raised Celtic art decoration is repeated on the front and back, and was originally highlighted with applied studs of opaque red glass.
The Battersea Shield, about 200BC. This is one of the best known examples of Celtic Art found in Britain. It is not a complete shield, but the decorated metal cover that was attached to the front of a wooden shield. The wooden part has long since left us.
The Emperor Hadrian, 150AD. This bronze head comes form a statue which probably stood in a public space in London. It may have commemorated Hadrian's visit to Britain in 122AD. Hadrian travelled widely, and there are many marble statues of himn, but this bronaze is a rare survival.
The Emperor Claudius, 50AD. The conquest of Britain was a triumph for Claudius, who had no existing reputation as a leader. This head formed part of a life-size bronze status of the Emperor.
Statue of Mars (war god). 250AD. The inscripton on the base records that the statuette was dedicated to Mars and the divine power of the Emperor and made by the bronzesmith Celatus. People have often confused this statuette with several nudes of me that exist
Alas, this next statue is probably the one most people think of in reference to me! Such is life This marble statuette is the god Baachus (wine god) in a typical pose, rather languidly holding an empty wine cup in his right hand and leaning against a tree trunk which supports a fruiting vine.
This bronze helmet, cheek piece and crest knob are from around 100AD, and is a typical legionary helmet. The cheek protector was originally hinged at each side while the broad flange protected the back of the neck.
