Silver Thimbles
June 14, 2009 by Thomas Howard
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.
 ANTIQUE Sterling Silver SEWING THIMBLE Simon Brothers  US $29.95 |  Sterling Silver Thimble In Original Box US $20.00 |
 MALLINCKRODT SILVER ONLY A THIMBLE FULL SHOT GLASS JIGGER DOSAGE 372 GRAMS US $15.50 |  1900s Sterling Silver KMD Gold Wild Roses Band Thimble US $36.99 |
 Sterling Silver Simons Rosettes Diamonds Band Thimble US $10.49 |  VINTAGE LOT THIMBLES ONE STERLING SILVER US $19.99 |
 1890s Sterling Silver Stern Thimble With Bumble Bees US $18.76 |  1890s Sterling Silver Waite Thresher Absract Thimble US $21.60 |
 Germany Silver Thimble With Gold Band Turquoise Stone US $23.39 |  antique sterling silver sewing THIMBLE size 10 vintage US $29.00 |
 VINTAGE 1976 SILVER THIMBLE REDWHITE BLUE UNCLE SAMS HAT US $.99 |  925 Sterling Silver Hand Made Thimble US $16.00 |
 ANTIQUE STERLING SILVER SCRAP MIXED LOT Earrings Spoons Rings Thimble 3224 gr US $31.00 |  GOLD SILVER CHARM BRACELET THIMBLE GERMAN TANKER STEIN US $125.00 |
 Continental Silver Germany Thimble Amethyst Stone Cap US $26.73 |  Vintage GREEK KEY sterling silver thimble size 9 US $20.00 |
 Silver Plated Wire Guards Guardians Cable Thimbles 100 Protects Jewelry Wire US $9.75 |  Vintage 1925 Sterling Silver Sewing Thimble Henry Grithith Sons Ltd Bham vgc US $23.42 |
 Vintage Silver Finished Thimble US $1.99 |  Sterling Silver Simons Engine Turned Design Thimble US $15.10 |
 Silver Souvenir Thimble From New Mexico US $2.50 |  Antique Unhallmarked Sewing Thimble Dolly Flowers 435gms silver metal US $15.61 |
 VINTAGE SILVER SEWING SCISSORS THIMBLE CHARM US $15.61 |  Antique Sterling Silver 6 Thimble Curlique US $29.99 |
 Tall Sterling Silver Enamel Thimble With Colors Shape US $7.99 |  FIVE ANTIQUE VINTAGE SOLID SILVER HALLMARKED THIMBLES 2 Charles Horner VGC US $64.05 |
 ANTIQUE SILVER 925S STERLING SILVER THIMBLE 64G US $19.53 |  1890 Sterling Silver Stern Owl Band Thimble Engraved AL US $26.00 |
 ANTIQUE ENGLISH SILVER THIMBLE C1889 37G US $19.53 |  antique DORCAS CH5 SILVER THIMBLE Charles Horner daisy US $35.00 |
 Vintage Sterling Silver Charm Thimble US $3.44 |  vintage c 1960 silver thimble scissors charm 16cm 16g US $15.61 |
 SILVER Filigree Thimble FAN DESIGN w RED ctr NEW US $15.00 |  ANTIQUE STERLING SILVER CHATELAINE BOX NUTMEG THIMBLE HOLDER US $40.61 |
 ANTIQUE STERLING SILVER ENGLISH SEWING THIMBLE US $195.00 |  1900s Sterling Silver Simons Thimble With Greek Key US $12.50 |
 OLD SOLID STERLING SILVER THIMBLE BIRMINGHAM 1892 JF MAKERS INITIALS US $8.59 |  Silver Filigree Thimble Fan designs w BLUE CTR NEW US $15.00 |
 SILVER Filigree Thimble Flower w AQUA ctr NEW US $15.00 |  SILVER Filigree Thimble 2 WHITE CRYSTALS NEW US $15.00 |
 SILVER Filigree Thimble 2 ELEGANT RED CTR FLOWERS NEW US $15.00 |  SILVER Filigree Thimble 3 WHITE CRYSTALS NEW US $15.00 |
 SILVER Filigree Thimble 1 CLEAR 1 AQUA CRYSTAL NEW US $15.00 |  SILVER Filigree Thimble 2Flowers w YELLOW ctr NEW US $15.00 |
 Vintage 925 Sterling Silver Inlaid Turquoise Flower Thimble US $24.98 |  Sterling Silver Scroll Dot Design Thimble Engraved A US $9.99 |
 CHARLES HORNER DORCAS SILVER THIMBLE US $48.41 |  Antique Sterling Silver Childs Thimble size 7 US $9.99 |
 ANTIQUE SOLID SILVER THIMBLE 1894 54g US $10.31 |  SILVER Filigree Thimble 2 RED CRYSTALS NEW US $15.00 |
 Antique Sterling Silver Childs Thimble US $9.99 |  SILVER Filigree Thimble I CLEAR 1 BLUE CRYSTAL NEW US $15.00 |
 SILVER Filigree Thimble 3 CLEAR CRYSTALS NEW US $15.00 |  ANTIQUE SOLID SILVER THIMBLE 1921 41g US $7.79 |
 SILVER Filigree Thimble 2 CLEAR CRYSTALS NEW US $15.00 |  Silver Thimble French Hallmarks US $9.99 |
 VINTAGE CHARLES HORNER DORCAS SILVER THIMBLE US $17.95 |  Silver Thimble Leaf Pattern US $9.99 |
 CHARLES HORNER SOLID SILVER THIMBLE N O 6 US $7.79 |  SILVER Filigree Thimble Flower w YELLOW ctr NEW US $15.00 |
 Silver Thimbles Crown hallmark and English hallmark US $9.99 |  Henry Griffith Son Sterling Silver Thimble England US $10.93 |
 SILVER Filigree Thimble 2 YELLOW CRYSTALS NEW US $15.00 |  Sterling Silver Thimble Polished Solid Charm US $21.55 |
 Sterling Silver Handmade Hammered Thimble With Designs US $9.00 |  ANTIQUE SILVER SEWING THIMBLE US $42.16 |
 Antique Blackberry Solid Silver Hall marked Henry Griffith Sons thimble 1897 US $49.97 |  silver metal thimble shield of Kimarnock US $2.99 |
 SMALL ANTIQUE SILVER AMETHYST GLASS SEWING THIMBLE US $28.12 |  NEW Betsy Ross and the Silver Thimble Greene Stephan US $5.99 |
 Antique KMD Sterling Silver Paneled Scroll Thimble Size 11 US $31.96 |  Set of 2 Thimbles Abalone Silver Mexico US $4.99 |
 SILVER Filigree Thimble FAN DESIGN w CLEAR ctr NEW US $15.00 |  EXQUISITE CHARLES HORNER SILVER THIMBLE 1894 CHESTER US $16.39 |
 SILVER Filigree Thimble 2Flowers w BLUE ctr NEW US $15.00 |  Vintage Victorian Era HALLMARKED STERLING SILVER Sewing Thimble Embossed Edge US $17.25 |
 SILVER Filigree Thimble FAN DESIGN w BLACK ctr NEW US $15.00 |  Portugal Silver Thimble Cat Kitten with Scrolls US $4.99 |
 Portugal Silver Thimble Penguin US $4.99 |  Portugal Silver Thimble 3 Leaf Clover US $4.99 |
 Portugal Silver Thimble Frog Toad US $4.99 |  VINTAGE STERLING SILVER THIMBLE US $9.99 |
 Portugal Silver Thimble Butterfly Moth US $4.99 |  Portugal Silver Thimble Ladybug US $4.99 |
 MONOPOL Solingen Stork Bird Scissors 800 SILVER Blue Enamel Thimble Boxed Set US $99.00 |  Thistle Decorated Sterling Silver Thimble With Carnelian Agate Birmingham 1929 US $45.30 |
 Antique Sterling Silver Thimble size 8 US $20.00 |  SILVER Filigree Thimble 2 ELEGANT RED CTRS NEW US $15.00 |
 Older 1983 Hallmark Christmas Pin White Mouse In Silver Sewing Thimble EUC US $5.00 |  Thimble Sterling Silver Vintage Hearts Decor Grt Christmas Gift FREE SHIP USA US $15.00 |
 Sterling Silver ornate Thimble US $12.99 |  RUSSIAN FINIFT SILVER ENAMEL THIMBLE NEW US $18.00 |
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Metal Thimble - Krakow, St. Marys Church Sale Price: $6.95  |
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Metal thimble featuring a relief image of St. Mary's Church (k. Mariacki) with "KRAKÓW" lettering below. Dating back to 1222, the gothic church is a symbol of Kraków and is where you can hear the trumpet's call every hour from its tower... |
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1899 Ad Rice Sewing Silk Strong Smooth Silver Thimble - Original Print Ad List Price: $36.95 Used From: $26.95 |
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This is a tiny original 1899 black and white print ad for Rice Sewing Silk from the A. H. Rice & Co. located in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. |
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Metal Hand Bell Bottle Opener - Poznan, City Hall Sale Price: $15.95 |
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Working metal hand bell in silver mat color with spinning handle centerpiece honoring the Polish city of PoznaÅ. Displayed on both sides of the handle in gold colored relief is an image of City Hall (Ratusz), which now holds the PoznaÅ Museum of History... |
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Birds Sale Price: $5.94 |
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Windy City 4 Sale Price: $4.95 |
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Wallmonkeys Peel and Stick Wall Decals - Thread Thimble and Needle - Removable Graphic |
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WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies... |
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Wallmonkeys Peel and Stick Wall Decals - Silver Colored Thimble on an Old Antique Patchwork Quilt - Removable Graphic |
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WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies... |
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Makeup/Skin Product By Paul & Joe Eye Color - # 18 ( Silver Thimble ) 2.7g/0.09oz Sale Price: $27.50 |
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For best potential and lasting results with any makeup applications there are 9 main steps to follow and Paul & Joe - Eye Color - Eye Color will help you reach this goal.Here is a step by step makeup application guide:Step 1: Mineral foundation - A healthy foundation for a flawless face... |
