Candlestick

Surrey/Hampshire border ware saucer candlestick with a short socket, rim cordon and a wide saucer (part missing). The vessel is covered in a thick yellow glaze. It was recovered from a first floor chimney recess in Lauderdale House, Highgate, in association with four chickens, plaited hemp, a glass tazza and two shoes. This is the most complete 'builder's sacrifice' known from London. Objects like shoes, clothing, other domestic items and dead animals were sometimes deliberately concealed inside houses to act as lucky charms and protection against harmful spirits.