This pattern celebrates the Oakenshield lineage of Dwarf-Kings who ruled over the mines and wealth of The Lonely Mountain. You can find the names of the 3 prominent Kings inscribed in runes on the design - Thrór, Thráin and Thorin as well as their title 'King Under the Mountain' along the borders.
The Hobbit tells the story of Thorin Oakenshield's return to claim the Mountain hoard from the dragon, Smaug, who ousted his grandfather, Thrór from The Lonely Mountain and this design is an ode to that quest and the Dwarves' determination.
The design nods to the motifs and hard lines of Art Deco pieces, creating a series of decorative shields which feature straight-edged interlocking patterns reminiscent of Celtic knots but with a more industrial aesthetic, reflecting the nature of the Dwarves of Middle-earth. Hidden in the artwork are elements indicating the wealth they uncovered and the objects they skillfully crafted.