The Gawith Hoggarth Saracen

In earlier days, trade signs were used to indicate to those who were illiterate the nature of the trade. The Saracen or Turk figure was a common trade sign in the tobacco trade. The concept of the Turk originated from "The Turk's Head" coffee house in London, where Dr. Johnson and other prominent men would take snuff.

The original Saracen was erected on the wall of the Kendal snuff factory offices in Lowther Street around 1870. Over the years it decayed and, in 1972, it fell to pieces when it was attempted to be lifted. The new Saracen figure was subsequently taken down when Gawith, Hoggarth & Co Ltd vacated the factory premises in 2009.

Kendal Civic Society refurbished the figurine to it's original condition and will return it to its original position on the wall of the Lowther Street factory.