A number of Iron Age metal vessels are known from England. Many are large cauldrons, whereas others are small hand-held bowls. The tradition of making metal vessels dates back to the later Bronze Age (1500-800 BC) when they were used, along with decorated flesh hooks, in feasting. Although metal vessels are relatively rare, the examples we have from Iron Age Britain suggests that they fulfilled a number of uses.

Some metal vessels were used in the preparation and serving of food. In particular, large cauldrons such as the examples from Battersea or Spettisbury were used for cooking food over an open fire. Other vessels may have been used for different purposes, for example smaller vessels for eating or drinking. Others, such as an example from Rose Ash in Devon, could have been used for washing hands or making libations.

Many metal vessels are found in rivers, lakes and peat bogs suggesting that their final use may have been in a religious ritual. They were deliberately placed in these wet places, probably for religious reasons.