Bookmark, page turner

This wooden desk accessory was probably used by an office clerk or banker for bookmarking, weighing down and turning the pages of a large ledger. The item was previously used in the headquarters of Baring Brothers Bank at 8 Bishopsgate, London.

Barings bank was founded in 1762 by Sir Frances Baring and, at the time of its collapse in 1995, was the oldest merchant bank in London. In 1806, the company moved its headquarters to 8 Bishopsgate, where it stayed until 1995. During this period the property underwent several expansions and refurbishments, and was completely rebuilt in 1981. This fire bucket together with other office equipment was donated to the Museum of London during a refurbishment of the main banking hall and offices in the early 1970s.