Silver Thimbles
June 14, 2009 by Dean
Filed under 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.
 Vintage Sterling Silver Sewing Thimble  US $9.95 |  Size 17 Silver Coloured Metal Thimble England US $2.73 |
 2 Sterling Silver Sewing Thimbles Smaller says W US $5.00 |  CHIM VINTAGE SILVER CHARM THIMBLE 4G US $1.55 |
 20 STR SILVER Cable Stringing Thimble WIRE GUARD 0045 US $.82 |  Paul Joe Eye Color18 Silver Thimble 09 oz US $25.49 |
 Vintage Silver Color Metal Thimble W Enamel Cap NO RES US $17.00 |  Collectible Silver Plated KENTUCKY Thimble in Box US $.99 |
 Sterling Silver Med 3D Scissors Thimble Sewing Charm US $12.99 |  de la Fontaine Silver Thimble Hare the Tortoise US $110.95 |
 VINTAGE STERLING SILVER THIMBLE CHARM US $1.55 |  EARLY Blue Floral Enameled 935 Sterling Silver Thimble US $91.00 |
 20 STR SILVER Cable Stringing Thimble WIRE GUARD 0031 US $3.75 |  Lot of 3 Vintage Silver Sewing Thimbles US $19.99 |
 VTG STERLING SILVER 925RARE TAXCO ORNATE SEWING THIMBLE US $9.99 |  1 Thimble Heavy Metal Vintage Alabama Silver Color US $9.99 |
 Silver souvenir thimblevintageof Avignon France US $8.95 |  St Silver Charm 3d THIMBLE US $13.95 |
 1902 AD FOR YE PRISCILLA STERLING SILVER THIMBLES US $9.79 |  Sterling Silver Thimble HG S marked THE SPA US $7.79 |
 VINTAGE Sterling Silver THIMBLE Bracelet Charm US $4.99 |  VINTAGE Sterling Silver THIMBLE Bracelet Charm US $4.99 |
 WILDLIFE CAMEO THIMBLE Glass Brown Bear on Silver Metal US $4.95 |  Vintage Sterling Silver Ladies Pocket Knife and Thimble US $26.00 |
 WILDLIFE CAMEO THIMBLE Glass Bear on Silver Metal US $4.95 |  Vintage Large Fancy Sterling Silver Thimble Mexico US $15.00 |
 Silver Thimble marked 12 US $24.99 |  Betsy Ross and the Silver Thimble Level 2 Good Books US $1.00 |
 VINTAKE MEXICO SILVER ABELONE THIMBLE US $2.99 |  Betsy Ross and the Silver Thimble Level 2 New Books US $3.00 |
 RARE STERLING SILVER ASPREY MOUSE TOPPED THIMBLE US $64.01 |  SILVER THIMBLE CHESTER now closed 1914 BY C HORNER US $20.28 |
 SOLID SILVER THIMBLE BIRMINGHAM 1926 US $15.60 |  SILVER THIMBLE CHESTER now closed 1906 US $15.60 |
 SILVER THIMBLE CHESTER now closed 1906 BY C HORNER US $20.28 |  ANTIQUE SCRAP SOLID SILVER LOT POCKET WATCH THIMBLE ETC US $20.37 |
 Betsy Ross and the Silver Thimble Ready to Read Level US $1.00 |  TOPAZIO Portugal Recardacao de Fatima SILVER P THIMBLE US $3.47 |
 Size 9 Silver Coloured Metal Thimble Dimpled Pattern US $2.73 |  SILVER CHARM VINTAGE CHARMS THIMBLE SCISSORS PENKNIFE US $5.00 |
 THIMBLE SILVER METAL TEXAS RODEO RIDER OIL WELLS US $3.99 |  BEAUTIFUL UNIQUE STERLING SOLID SILVER THIMBLE US $18.72 |
 LOT OF 2 ANTIQUE STERLING SILVER SEWING THIMBLES US $9.99 |  THIMBLE SILVER METAL W ENAMEL SAN DIEGO ZOO US $3.99 |
 THIMBLE SILVER METAL MOTHER OF PEARL BUTTERFLY ABALON US $4.99 |  THIMBLE SILVER METAL VIRGINIA OLD DOMINION STATE US $3.99 |
 Vintage silver Germany Thimble US $9.99 |  VINTAGE STERLING SILVER THIMBLE W ANCHOR HALLMARK US $9.99 |
 VINTAGE STERLING SILVER SILVER JUBILEE THIMBLE BOXED US $5.00 |  VINTAGE STERLING SILVER DANECRAFT THIMBLE CHARM US $9.95 |
 VINTAGE STERLING SILVER ENGRAVED SEWING THIMBLE 1 US $9.95 |  VINTAGE STERLING SILVER ENGRAVED SEWING THIMBLE 2 US $9.95 |
 VINTAGE STERLING SILVER ENGRAVED SEWING THIMBLE 3 US $9.95 |  VINTAGE STERLING SILVER ENGRAVED SEWING THIMBLE 4 US $9.95 |
 VINTAGE STERLING SILVER ENGRAVED SEWING THIMBLE 5 US $9.95 |  Vintage 1940s Sterling Silver Thimble Bracelet Charm US $17.00 |
 antique sterling silver nail file and thimble US $19.95 |  VINTAGE Sterling Silver SMALL THIMBLE Bracelet Charm US $3.99 |
 Old COIN SILVER Thimble 8 Fancy Initials STAMPED US $40.50 |  Silver Thimble Marked 900 US $4.99 |
 Antiqute Silver Curious Ref Book Thimbles Flasks Etc US $39.95 |  Silver Metal Turlock California Thimble Turkey Shield US $.99 |
 Silver Metal Pennsylvania State Thimble State Shield US $4.99 |  Silver Metal Prehistoric Gardens Oregon Coast Thimble US $5.50 |
 Silver Metal Santa Cruz Calif Thimble Sailboat Shield US $4.99 |  Silver Metal Willamsburg VA Thimble Governors Palace US $4.99 |
 Silver Metal Gettysburg PA Thimble Flagged Shield US $4.99 |  Silver Metal Turlock Cal Thimble Cornucopia Shield US $4.99 |
 Silver Metal Grand Teton National Park Thimble US $4.99 |  Silver Plated W Germany Thimble Little Girl 1983 US $4.99 |
 Genuine925 Silver THIMBLE DANGLE BEAD CHARM US $17.14 |  Antique English Sterling Silver Thimble in Fitted Case US $75.00 |
 Antique Sterling Silver Enamel Needle Case Thimble US $75.00 |  sterling silver bud vase and thimbles US $22.55 |
 FINE CHINA THIMBLE ROYALTY RARE SILVER JUBILEE 1935 US $3.99 |  Rare Silver Blue Stone Set Thimble c 1900 No Reserve US $20.01 |
 US Marines Eagle Silver Thimble Collectible USA Anchor US $32.99 |  2 Sterling Silver Engraved Antique Thimble Simons US $62.24 |
 Art Deco child sterling silver thimble Simons Bros USA US $58.63 |  1900 Sterling Silver Stern Rosettes Thimble Engraved CW US $9.99 |
 Vintage Sterling Silver Charm Pendant Thimble Estate US $29.99 |  Sterling Silver Pat May 28 1889 Simons Fluted Thimble US $9.99 |
 Sterling Silver Reeded Orchid Flower Panels Thimble US $23.87 |  1900s Sterling Silver Shepard Manufacting Co Thimble US $9.99 |
 1890s Sterling Silver Simons Dainty Pansy Thimble Sz 8 US $9.99 |  Antique Silver colored Thimble Size 10 W Germany 17mm US $4.99 |
 Antique Sterling Silver Thimble with Flowers on Border US $57.51 |  1890 Sterling Silver Stern Wave Scroll Circle Thimble US $15.47 |
 Vintage Victorian Sterling Silver Sewing Thimble Sz 6 US $23.26 |  1890s Sterling Silver Stern Palmette Anthemion Thimble US $9.99 |
 Sterling Silver Thimble Size 9 US $9.99 |  A RARE THIMBLE ISSUED 1935 FOR GEORGE V SILVER JUBILEE US $1.55 |
 ANTIQUE STERLING SILVER THIMBLE WMF 1 1 4 TALL US $50.00 |  1900s Sterling Silver KMD Fancy Round Rim Thimble Sz 9 US $9.99 |
 Vintage Sterling Silver 925 Thimble US $9.99 |  LOVELY VINTAGE STERLING SILVER EMBOSSED THIMBLE 16 US $7.79 |
 1890s Sterling Silver Simons Mini Paneled Thimble US $9.99 |  Size 11 Silver Colored Metal Thimble Vintage T219 US $6.73 |
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Metal Slip Stop Thimbles-2/Pkg 1 Small & 1 Medium List Price: $3.39 Sale Price: $2.47  |
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SINGER-Slip Stop Thimbles. These nickel plated steel thimbles feature a safety ridge on top to keep the needle from slipping. Perfect for quilting; needle arts and more. This package contains two thimbles: small (7/14mm & 8/18mm)... |
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12 Bali Bead End Caps Cones Thimble Antique Silver Sale Price: $17.13 |
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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... |
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3 Bali Bead End Caps Cones Thimble Antique Silver Sale Price: $7.68 |
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3 Antique Silver Plated Bali End Caps Great for Beading, Craft Projects, Craft Enthusiasts & Making Necklaces, Bracelets & Earrings. This is a new set of 3 pewter Bali end caps with an antique silver finish... |
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Paul & Joe Eye Color - # 18 ( Silver Thimble ) - 2.7g/0.09oz List Price: $29.00 Sale Price: $22.69 |
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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... |
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Thimbles Set (silver) by Vernet Sale Price: $16.95 |
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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... |
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Thimbles Set Vernet silver |
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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 Great for the classic Thimble effects or your own routines |
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Betsy Ross and the Silver Thimble (Ready-to-Read. Level 2) List Price: $3.99 Sale Price: $1.13 Used From: $0.01 |
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Betsy Ross wants to prove to her brother that she can do whatever he can -- but she ends up proving something to herself instead. Recommended in Laura Berquist Second Grade Syllabus Author: Stephanie GreenGrade: K and up Pages: 32 pages, paperback Publisher: Simon Schuster ISBN: 0-689-84954-0 |
