The working life of Museum of London

Things are hotting up as we’re only one day away from the Grand Final to decide which is the best object from the eighth Volunteer Inclusion Project based at the Museum of London’s Archaeological Archive & Research Centre. Over the past 10 weeks, volunteers have transformed numerous archives improving both their storage and access. Along the way 16 artefacts have stood out amongst the thousands of objects they’ve packed and audited.

Each day this week people have been voting for their favourite daily object. Monday’s Tobacco Pipe came up trumps first, with a Roman Intaglio defeating its rivals on Tuesday. Joining these in tomorrow’s Grand Final is yesterdays winner:

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT THE WINNER OF ROUND 3

It was a tough competition, but a worthy victory. Time for…

Round 4

A magic object to start things off – this Witch Bottle audited by Thursday volunteer Donna during Week 2. Originally a stoneware Bellarmine bottle, this was reused as a witch bottle to divert the evil eye and act as a protective ward against witches (hence the name). Bent and twisted pins are usually found inside, using sympathetic magic to personally harm the witch. Other common contents can include blood, urine, hair or brimstone. This example is rare as it has its contents still in situ and finds like this show how mass produced ubiquitous objects (drinking vessels) can be reused and transformed into a sacred object of unique function. It was originally excavated in 1977 at St James’s Passage Subway.

Second today is a object which fooled us at first. This comb was excavated during 1979’s work at 170-194 Borough High Street and rediscovered by  Thursday volunteer Juliet when auditing it during Week 8.  When we first came across it we thought it was made of bone, a common material to make combs with from Roman times through to the 20^th Century. Why did bone stop being used in the 20th Century? Well, because of plastic. And, as with this example, sometimes manufacturers can make plastic look very bone like! But despite this 20^th Century plastic comb fooling us we still think it a worthy contender and an excellent example of a material that transformed modern life.

Next are a spectacular pair of buttons audited by Friday volunteer Iestyn during Week 5. These copper-alloy buttons would originally have been gilded. They bear images of a crown, a common representation for the British Monarchy and are likely to have adorned a uniform connected to “serving the crown”. On the reverse the buttons bear the legend “T. Clare. Leman St.” Thomas Clare was a tailor whose shop was situated at 124 Leman Street, London in the mid 19^th Century. They were originally discovered in 1978’s excavations at Cutler Street.

Last but certainly not least is this Roman finger ring, also audited in Week 5 by Friday volunteer Yulia. The bronze intaglio of this ring bears the inscription VTF – ut(ere) f(elix) – meaning “good luck to the user”. With a sloping trapezoid profile, this ring type is known as ‘keeled’ and is particular to the 3^rd Century AD. The ring was found during 1977’s excavations in the Crypt of Southwark Cathedral in a context associated with stonework, perhaps belonging to a mausoleum in Southwark – so maybe the luck of the owner finally ran out… but will the ring be lucky today?

So which will take the final spot in the Grand Final alongside Monday’s Tobacco Pipe, Tuesday’s Intaglio & Yesterday’s Figurine Salt.

To cast your vote, click here:

VOTING HAS NOW CLOSED!

Thank you all for playing along and don’t forget to return for the Grand Final tomorrow, where you could win a free pair of tickets for a LAARC Tour! And hang on… what’s that… free tickets for other museum events too…