12th-13th century AD. A bronze candlestickposed of a round-section column flaring out at the lower end and with fixing spike at base, the column with three spherical knobs spaced equally; the top dividing into two arched branches to hold a pair of wax or tallow tapers in the notched ends of the branches. See Meum of London accession number A2647, for a travelling candlestick that was made to receive both full candles and tapers. 37.3 grams, 18.5cm high (7 1/4"). Found Thames spoil in the 1980s. Acquired on the UK antiques market between 1974-1985. Albert Ward collection (part 2), Essex, UK. Indoor lighting during the medieval period utilised wax or tallow in the form of candles of varying sizes and thin tapers; whereas full candles were a rigid column of wax or tallow with a 'string' wick, the taper was a wick with a thin covering of wax or tallow and these were quite flexible so could be coiled. The example of a travelling candlestick with folding legs in the Meum of London collection provides a central spike to receive a larger candle diameter, a socket on a side branch for a smaller candle type and an opposing branch with a V-notch at the end, as seen in this example, to accept a taper. [No Reserve]