The Ceremonial Shield used by the Santhal tribe stands classic as an attractive specimen of indigenous craftsmanship and cultural symbolism. The Santhal people and the art of making objects have been in existence from the days of Jharkhand. The shield is nominally worth a good deal and is used for many traditional events, but it can never be used for actual fighting. The main body of the shield is the circular disc. On the disc's periphery are fixed knife-like projections that angularly differentiate this shield from the conventional ones. The very shape of the shield then associates both artistry and an allegorical relation of might and protection.
On the disc's dorsal side, four small hooks pass an off-white twisted cotton rope that serves as a handle for holding and transporting the shield in ceremonial processions or rituals. The use of cotton rope is symbolic; it demonstrates that the Santhal community locally sources natural materials for constructing its traditional artifacts. The shield's face is adorned with eleven raised or elevated sections of wood that stiffen the structure and provide some decorative detailing. These raised features, in essence, signify resilience, a constant in traditional Santhal art and craft. In a ceremonial context, the Santhal shield, therefore, stands paradigmatic of bravery, heritage, and the Santhal cultural identity. It is thus an artifact to express complicated forms of artistry, which are a matter of tribal pride.