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.

ANTIQUE RUSSIAN SOLID SILVER NIELLO SEWING THIMBLE 1870    US 0.00

Sterling Silver Cable and Stringing Thimble 3MM 50pcs    US $5.40

HUGE Lot of 10 Vintage Thimbles Silver Brass Aluminum    US .99

Silver Clred Demitasse Spoon ThimbleSpirit of st Lou    US $8.00

New Sterling Silver Thimble Polished Solid Charm    US .99

VINTAGE Sterling Silver SEWING THIMBLE SCISSORS Charm    US $14.99

Thimbles Sterling SilverVersibert Pewter Shell    US .95

3D Thimble Sewing Seamstress 925 Sterling Silver Charm    US $6.69

Beautiful Antique Hallmarked Sterling Silver Thimble 10    US .99

Vintage Sterling Silver Thimble Holder Case Pendant    US $49.99

PERSIAN ERA DECORATED SILVER THIMBLE1750 AD    US .55

Henry Griffiths Son Silver Thimble The Spa 1890    US $7.78

C Horner Victorian Dorcas Silver Thimble RD127211    US .07

G W Hatton Victorian Silver Thimble Chester 1895    US $10.04

NICE SOLID HALLMARKED SILVER THIMBLE CHESTER 1843    US .80

Vintage Size 7 Silver Thimble    US $6.00

HF ANTIQUE 1894 HALLMARKED SILVER THIMBLE 4 SEWING    US .80

Antique Sterling Silver sewing thimble needle CA 1900    US $19.99

VINTAGE SILVER THIMBLE W ETCHED BIRDS FLOWERS    US .99

Antique Simons Sterling Silver Scenic Thimble    US $9.99

VINTAGE SILVER OLSON RUG CO CHICAGO ILL THIMBLE    US .99

ANTIQUE VICTORIAN STERLING SILVER THIMBLE AND CASE    US $59.51

Sterling Silver Repousse THIMBLE with Owl Motiff    US .00

Vintage Silver Thimble    US $9.99

Silver Repousse Portugal Thimble Ladybug Stamped 8309    US .99

VTG HANDMADE Sterling Silver THIMBLE Flowering Vines    US $19.99

Antique Silver thimble from the 1920s    US .00

Vintage silver thimble with hand chased bandinscribed    US $19.95

silver looking thimble from Portugal heart and home    US .95

ANTIQUE SILVER THIMBLE HALLMARKED BIRMINGHAM    US $1.48

ANTIQUE RUSSIAN SOLID SILVER NIELLO SEWING THIMBLE 1900    US .00

Sterling Silver Thimble Vintage Nice    US $9.99

Sterling Silver Thimble Vintage Nice octogon shaped bas    US .99

Two Sterling Silver Thimbles and 1 14k gold thimble    US $59.99

VINTAGE Sterling Silver SEWING THIMBLE Charm 1940s    US .99

Old Sterling Silver Sewing Sew Thimble Greek Key Patrn    US $4.99

20 STR SILVER Cable Stringing Thimble WIRE GUARD 0045    US $.01

Antique Sterling silver Thimble    US $15.00

A Fine Victorian MOP Silver NeedleThimble Case c1880    US .43

VINTG SILVER THIMBLE HALLMARKED BIRMINGHAM 1925 BY HGS    US $7.48

Fablous Lapis Silver Thimble Collectable Fingerhut    US .95

Vintage Silver Thimble with Turquoise Abalone inlay    US $.99

Mother of Pearl Sterling Silver Thimble Collectable    US .44

Sterling Silver Ballet Shoes on Pewter Thimble Dancing    US $14.97

Sterling Silver Mini Thimble Charm on Pewter Thimble    US .97

Suburb Silver Thimble Necklace Great Gift For Collector    US $16.47

SILVER CHARM VINTAGE CHARMS SCISSORS THIMBLE    US .48

Vintage Antique Sterling Silver Thimble Grape Motif    US $13.27

H marked Silver Thimble Chester H G S Poss 1926    US .28

A COLLECTION OF OLD THIMBLES 30METALSILVER ESTATE    US $5.02

Antique WEBSTER Sterling Silver THIMBLE FULL Shot Glass    US .74

Sterling Silver Thimble    US $8.50

Lk Beautiful Vtg Sterling SILVER Our Lady Thimble    US .49

US Marines Eagle Silver Thimble Collectible USA Anchor    US $30.99

THIMBLE STERLING SILVER SIMON BROS 9    US .99

THIMBLE SILVER METAL W ENAMEL SAN DIEGO ZOO    US $3.99

STERLING SILVER 925 THIMBLE HOLDER CHATELAINE THIMBLE    US .99

PANELED SIMONS STERLING SILVER THIMBLE NAN 84 SIZE 9    US $10.99

Vintage Lot of Thimbles Silver England Advertising    US .99

VINTAGE STERLING SILVER SEWING THIMBLE SIZE 8    US $9.99

HAMMS BEER SILVER THIMBLE WITH BEAR CLOISONNE IN BOX    US .99

neat vintage mexican silver thimble old older neat    US $9.99

STERLING SILVER THIMBLE with goldplated PEGASUS horse    US .99

VINTAGE H M SILVER JAMES SWAN THIMBLE c1933    US $34.99

VINTAGE H M SILVER HGS THE SPA THIMBLE c1933    US .99

Designs all over silver thimble    US $5.00

VINTAGE DECORATED WITH LEAVES SILVER THIMBLE    US .50

CHARLES HORNER CHESTER silver thimble    US $1.80

Birmingham silver size 15 thimble HCS 1926    US .30

VINTAGE STERLING SILVER SEWING THIMBLE COLLECTIBLE    US $4.99

SILVER THIMBLE HALLMARKED 1926 JSS 6 NO DAMAGE    US .48

SILVER THIMBLE HALLMARKED 1926 JSS 4 NO DAMAGE    US $1.48

3 Vintage Maybe Silver Ornate Sewing Thimbles    US .99

Vintage Antique Silver Floral Thimble    US $2.99

OLD PEWTER SILVER THIMBLE    US .99

Vintage Sterling Silver 9 Thimble    US $4.99

Vintage Sterling Silver 11 Thimble    US .99

Vintage Sterling Silver 12 Thimble    US $4.99

Vintage Sterling Silver 8 Thimble    US .99

Vintage Sterling Silver 7 Thimble EMN    US $4.99

ANTIQUE RUSSIAN SOLID SILVER NIELLO SEWING THIMBLE    US .00

VINTAGE NICKEL SILVER SIMON BROS THIMBLE    US $14.99

ANTIQUE RUSSIAN SOLID SILVER NIELLO SEWING THIMBLE 19CT    US .00

Beautiful Vintage Sterling SILVER Trinket Thimble    US $9.99

THIMBLE PEWTER W SILVER TOP FLORIDA W SAILBOAT SCENE    US .99

THIMBLE PEWTER SILVER TOP WALT DISNEY WORLD CASTLE    US $3.99

THIMBLE VINTAGE STERLING SILVER STERN BROS SIZE 10    US .99

THIMBLE STERLING SILVER MADE IN MEXICO    US $9.99

Antique Sterling Silver Thimble with Original Box    US .00

Sterling Silver SCROLL DESIGN Sewing Thimble 9    US $1.99

Sterling Silver Sewing Thimble STRIP DESIGN Size 2    US $1.99

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	12 Bali Bead End Caps Cones Thimble Antique Silver Sale Price: $17.13
	12 Antique Silver Plated Bali End Caps Great for Beading, Craft Projects, Craft Enthusiasts & Making Necklaces, Bracelets & Earrings. This is a new set of 12 pewter Bali end caps with an antique silver finish...

	3 Bali Bead End Caps Cones Thimble Antique Silver Sale Price: $7.68
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	6 Bali Bead End Caps Cones Thimble Antique Silver Sale Price: $11.34
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	Eye Color - # 18 ( Silver Thimble ) Sale Price: $51.00
	Gives brilliant colors for your eyelids Soft texture & easily glides on Enhances natural beauty & dimensions of your eyes Makes you look chic & glamourous To use: Apply to eyelids with clean fingertip or brush

	Eye Color - # 18 ( Silver Thimble ) - 2.7g/0.09oz Paul & Joe List Price: $29.00 Sale Price: $26.99
	Gives brilliant colors for your eyelids Soft texture & easily glides on Enhances natural beauty & dimensions of your eyes Makes you look chic & glamourous To use: Apply to eyelids with clean fingertip or brushProduct Line: Paul & Joe - Eye Color - Eye ColorProduct Size: 2...

	Eye Color Silver Thimble (18) 2.7 g by Paul & Joe
	Silver shimmer

	Thimbles Set (silver) by Vernet Sale Price: $16.95
	Complete 8 Thimble Set With this set of thimbles, you can perform multiplications, vanishes and penetrations. The Silver Magic Thimbles are specially designed and consist of pairs of thimbles nested inside each other...

	Thimbles Set Vernet (silver)
	Complete 8 Thimble Set With this set of thimbles, you can perform multiplications, vanishes and penetrations. The Silver Magic Thimbles are specially designed and consist of pairs of thimbles nested inside each other ...

	Betsy Ross and the Silver Thimble (Ready-to-Read. Level 2) List Price: $3.99 Sale Price: $1.00 Used From: $0.01
	Level 2 Ready-To-Read Reading Independently More complex stories Varied sentence structure Paragraphs and short chapters Betsy Ross wants to prove to her brother that she can do whatever he can -- but she ends up proving something to herself instead.