Silver Thimbles

As you know, a thimble is a cap that fits over your finger to protect it as you push a needle while sewing. The word comes from Middle English and literally means "thumb shield."

In one form or another, thimbles have been with us since sewing was invented. The oldest existing thimble that we would recognize as such is made from bronze and was crafted in the Roman era. It was found in the ruins of Pompeii.

However, the Etruscans, who pre-date the Romans, have written records that mention bronze thimbles. Obviously, primitive cultures also used thimbles, probably of bone or leather, but no examples of these prehistoric thimbles have survived into modern times.

Over the years, thimbles have changed primarily in the materials they are made from and in the way they are manufactured. Besides their practical uses, thimbles today have also become decorative items eagerly sought by collectors.

Antique thimbles tend to be heavier than modern thimbles for the very simple reasion that homespun cloth was coarse and the needles they had tended to be large and rough by today's standards. As you can imagine, pushing a large coarse needle through tough, thick, homespun fabric required a substantial bronze or iron thimble to prevent injury. In those times, thimbles were made individually by pounding a small sheet of metal into a mold or were cast from molten metal. The most ancient thimbles tend to be dome shaped and were difficult to keep on the finger.

By the 1400's spinning and weaving technology had progressed to the point that the cloth produced was of a finer texture and needlework became more refined. Thimbles became lighter and thinner and were produced in large numbers by the brass-making centers of that time. Thimbles from this era were often made in two parts with the cap and body cylinder produced seperately and later joined. These thimbles tend to be taller and have flatter tops.

This was the time when "sewing rings" (also known as tailor's thimbles) first emerged. This type of thimble is a simple cylinder with no top and is used by pushing the needle with the side of the finger. It was the advent of finer needles and fabric that allowed this type of sewing style.

It was during the Elizabethian era that thimbles started to be made from precious metals and to be decorated with jewles and semi-precious stones. Wealthy women of that time often did needlework as a social pastime and so it was natural that thimbles started to become both utilitarian and decorative. These "fancy" thimbles were often given as gifts and Queen Elizabeth the First was fond of giving jeweled thimbles as gifts to her favorites.

In the late 17th century, John Lofting (the father of modern thimble making)  began to produce thimbles in very large numbers. By the early 1700's, he was producing 2 million thimbles per year.

The production of brass also greatly improved during this time due to the development of a new formula that made the brass more malleable and better suited for a new manufacturing process called "deep drawing" that used less metal. This caused the price of thimbles to drop dramatically and they became affordable to everyone.

In the 16th century, manufacturers began to produce thimbles in silver and other precious metals. Before this time, thimbles made from precious metals were crafted individually by silversmiths and goldsmiths, but once their production became mechanized, these precious thimbles began to be made in large numbers.  Because silver is softer than the iron needle it was used to push, the cap of silver thimbles had to be reinforced with iron. This type of thimble is called a "Dorcas" and they are highly prized by collectors worldwide.

Later, companies such as Spode and Wedgewood began to make ceramic thimbles. Although considered more decorative than useful, they were, indeed, used when sewing silk.

In the Victorian era, a silver thimble was considered a very nice gift for a man to give to a woman. Victoria women often carried a chain-like device called a chatelaine, to which sewing items such as small scissors and a needle case could be attached. Thimbles were enclosed in a decorative thimble case that could be attached to the chatelaine. Thimbles were such an important symbol of home and family that sometimes a couple would remove the cap from a thimble given as a courting gift so it could be used as a wedding ring.

Today, thimbles are still used in quilting,  hand sewing and other types of decorative needlework, but they are primarily produced as decorative items for collectors. New thimble designs are being issued every day to commemorate everything from sports teams to pop culture characters. Every tourist destination offers souvenir thimbles to their visitors.

Thimble collecting is an extremely popular worldwide hobby. Many are affordably priced and readily available, making them within the reach of everyone. Men, women and children all collect thimbles. Some collectors may be more interested in the history of thimbles, while other collectors value them for decorative purposes. Many cities now have thimble collector clubs and the internet is connecting thimble collectors globally. Thimble collection has also created a booming cottage industry in display racks, cabinets and domes.

The lowly thimble now has a new place in society. Some admire its humble origins, while others celebrate its new decorative forms. Whatever your interest in thimbles, please feel free to look over the listings below for some fine examples of silver thimbles.

SOLID SILVER THIMBLE ENGLISH HALLMARK IHS CHALICE VGC    US .79

SILVER JADE ENAMEL FINGER THIMBLE DESIGN BROOCH    US $390.00

Queen Of England 1977 SILVER JUBILEE YEAR THIMBLE xx    US .49

Vintage Silver COTTON NEEDLE THIMBLE Charm MOVES Rare    US $7.81

A rare sterling silver james fenton thimble    US .99

Four Sterling SILVER Thimbles Chester Birmingham    US $30.08

Sterling Silver Simons Thimble    US .99

Beautiful Sterling Silver And Torquoise Thimble    US $22.56

VINTAGE SILVER THIMBLE FLORAL PATTERN PAT 8    US .10

4 x DAMAGED 3D FLOWER THIMBLES Crafted By Rose Silver    US $.06

Vintage Solid Silver 3D Charm Pendant SEWING THIMBLE    US .81

Rare VICTORIAN Solid Silver THIMBLE Hallmarked 1890 NR    US $24.07

ENAMELED STERLING SILVER THIMBLE 40th YEAR REIGN QEII    US .99

Vintage Toms Big Thimble Sterling Silver Webster shot    US $21.50

STERLING SILVER THIMBLE PERFECT AND VERY LOVELY    US .99

VINTAGE 925 STERLING SILVER REPOUSSE THIMBLE MARKED    US $5.00

Antique Small or Childs Thimble Sterling Silver    US .99

Vtg Sterling Silver BLUEBIRD Repousse PORTUGAL THIMBLE    US $36.95

Vintage Sterling Silver OWL Repousse PORTUGAL THIMBLE    US .95

EARLY UNMARKED KETCHAM McDOUGALL SILVER THIMBLE    US $24.99

STERLING SILVER 1900S STAR DAVID THIMBLE    US .00

SILVER ALLOY THIMBLE IN BOX GIESEKE JEWELER TRENTON IL    US $8.00

ANTIQUE BIRMINGHAM 1904 STERLING SILVER THIMBLE    US .04

Antique Vtg SEWING BOX silver THIMBLE bone STILETTO lot    US $88.00

2 ANTIQUE STERLING SILVER THIMBLES THIMBLE BIRD FLOWER    US .00

vintage sterling silver thimble    US $20.00

Vintage Sterling Silver Collectible Thimble    US .95

Solid Ornate Sterling Silver Thimble Birm 1953    US $15.04

Solid Ornate Sterling Silver Thimble Chester 1921 74g    US .69

Solid Ornate Sterling Silver Thimble Birm 1928    US $11.40

AUTHENTIC RUSSIAN DECORATIVE THIMBLE GERMAN SILVER    US .02

Vintage Silver Mother Of Pearl Thimble    US $1.99

Size 8 Sterling Silver Bunny RABBIT Thimble 323    US .95

KETCHAM McDOUGALL SILVER TAILORS QUILTERS THIMBLE    US $19.00

ANTIQUE STERLING SILVER THIMBLE W FLOWERS IN BOX    US .50

Collectible Sewing Thimble Silver Metal IH Flour Stars    US $9.99

2 VINTAGE SILVER STERLING THIMBLES THIMBLE TULIPS MOTIF    US .00

3 Vintage Sterling Silver Sewing Thimbles    US $9.99

Silver Thimble No 8 Charles Horner Chester 1892    US .78

Sterling Silver Thimble Florida 2000    US $40.00

STERLING SILVER HANDMADE TURQUOISE THIMBLE AMERICAN IND    US .99

STERLING SILVER HANDMADE AND TURQUOISE THIMBLE    US $9.99

SILVER THIMBLE SEWING KIT WOODRUFF INN JOLIET ILLINOIS    US .50

TWO OLD SILVER OR STAINLESS THIMBLES    US $10.50

RARE STERLING SILVER ART NOUVEAU THIMBLE LADY SWIMMER    US 6.32

Heavy Antique Silver Thimble C 1901 5g Charles Horner    US $7.51

Vintage Stern Brothers Sterling Silver Thimble Nice    US .99

Vintage Style Sterling Silver Genuine ONYX Thimble P233    US $34.95

Vintage Sterling silver Thimble Stern Bros Robin Bird    US .99

Vintage Sterling silver Thimble Stern Bros early 1900s    US $13.99

Antique 14k Gold Sterling Silver Signed Sewing Thimble    US .00

Vintage Estate Sterling Silver Sewing Thimbles Sew    US $395.00

2 THIMBLES ONLY A THIMBLE FULL STERLING SILVER SMALL    US .99

Old Pair Sterling Silver No 11 Thimbles Shield Mark    US $9.99

Sterling Silver Thimble    US .50

COLLECTION OF ANTIQUE GOLD STERLING SILVER THIMBLES    US $108.15

VINTAGE STERLING SILVER SEWING THIMBLE    US .99

ANTIQUE STERLING SILVER FANCY REPOUSSE THIMBLE 9    US $29.99

Sterling silver star pattern thimble made in Germany    US .00

ANTIQUE SILVER STERLING THIMBLE LS 11 WITH FLOWERS    US $16.99

ANTIQUE MASSIVE SILVER THIMBLE FLOWERS HANDMADE PERU    US .99

Vintage Sterling Silver Blue White Enamel Thimble    US $34.99

Antique Sterling Silver Thimble SZ 7    US .99

Vintage Antique Sterling Silver Thimble    US $8.99

DECORATIVE ANTIQUE VICTORIAN THIMBLE STERLING SILVER    US .99

5 sterling Silver Antique Sewing thimbles    US $29.99

VINT SEWING TOOL THIMBLE STERLING SILVER STERN BROS 11    US .51

VINTAGE SEWING TOOL THIMBLE STERLING SILVER 10 TAILORS    US $10.50

VINTAGE SEWING TOOL THIMBLE STERLING SILVER 8 TAILORS    US .50

VINTAG THIMBLE STERLING SILVER SIMONS BROS PRISCILLA 9    US $9.50

VINTAGE SEWING THIMBLE STERLING SILVER SIMONS BROS 9    US .50

VINTAGE SEWING THIMBLE STERLING SILVER SIMONS BROS 10    US $9.50

CHARLES HORNER DORCAS No5 FLORA Design SILVER THIMBLE    US .32

CHARLES HORNER DORCAS No6 Daisy Design SILVER THIMBLE    US $1.87

CHARLES HORNER DORCAS No7 Daisy Design SILVER THIMBLE    US .31

CHARLES HORNER DORCAS No8 Princess May SILVER THIMBLE    US $8.27

CROWN STAFFS Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining THIMBLE    US .78

Vintage Sterling Silver SEWING THIMBLE Charm    US $7.99

Antique Coin Silver Thimble Gilded w Stones OrigBox    US .00

STERLING SILVER 6 PC THIMBLE SET MADE IN USA    US $79.99

Vtg BEAU Sterling Silver Thimble Bracelet Charm Large    US .99

FENTON THIMBLE SILVER JUBILEE 1910 1935 FENTON CHINA VN    US $2.00

New Sterling Silver Thimble Polished Solid Charm    US .99

STERLING SILVER CHARM THIMBLE NEW    US $9.99

16531 Antique silver thimble    US .18

SOLID STERLING SILVER VICTORIAN THIMBLE CHESTER 1892    US $5.94

1900s SIMON Silver Thimble LEAF BERRY Pattern SBC    US .95

SIMON Bros S Sheild Sterling Silver Thimble size 8    US $9.99

James Fenton Hallmarked Silver Thimble 1906    US .51

CHARLES HORNER DORCAS No7 Shell Design SILVER THIMBLE    US $1.49

FINE CHARLES HORNER SILVER DORCAS SIZE 5 THIMBLE 1910    US .49

CHARLES HORNER DORCAS No7 Diamond PatSILVER THIMBLE    US $1.49

CHARLES HORNER DORCAS No10 tiny star top SILVER THIMBLE    US .27

CHARLES HORNER DORCAS Early Domed PAT8 SILVER THIMBLE    US $1.49

Civil War Dug Unique Design Solid Silver War Thimble    US .99

Betsy Ross and the Silver Thimble    US $1.00

CHARLES HORNER DORCAS Early Domed PAT6 SILVER THIMBLE    US .49

Diamond Cut Hallmarked Silver Thimble    US $6.77

Mini x stitch SILVER THIMBLE FAIRY DUST THE TOOTH FAIRY    US $.50

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