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 THIMBLE Jerusalem Wire Work Filigree Rolled Rim 1981    US $22.50

Vintage STERLING SILVER THIMBLE Persia Hand Etched Tooled Design Lovely    US $20.00

Vintage STERLING SILVER THIMBLE Gorgeous Filigree Philippines 1980 Unique    US $22.00

Vintage STERLING SILVER THIMBLE Mexico Abalone Shell Pretty    US $18.00

Vintage SILVER THIMBLE Equador Souvenier Building Design Hand Made    US $18.00

Vintage STERLING SILVER THIMBLE All over Daisy Design 12 Birthstones in Border    US $35.00

2 Antique Victorian Small Thimbles Sterling Silver Sweet    US $29.00

Sterling Silver Ornate Thimble Nice    US $15.00

RARE STERLING SILVER DOMED TRANSLUCENT CARNELIAN TOP THIMBLE AMAZING    US $24.45

ANTIQUE GERMAN STERLING SILVER GUILLOCHE ENAMEL THIMBLE    US $225.50

THIMBLE CASE NUT WITH SILVER AMERICAN THIMBLE PERFECT MILLERS ANTIQUES    US $79.00

Silver thimble with houses around band blank space to engrave    US $21.99

Vintage Metal Silver 12 Collectible Thimble    US $5.99

The Silver Thimble FAIRY DUST THE TOOTH FAIRYMini Seri    US $3.49

OLD RUSSIAN 875 SILVER ENAMELED THIMBLE ЛФ5 MARKED NICE ORNAMENT    US $18.22

Sewing Thimble STERLING SILVER KETCHAM McDOUGALL 1880 B    US $99.98

STERLING SILVER Sewing Thimble HAND ENGRAVED SWAN DUCK    US $99.98

Vintage Sterling Silver Thimble 113    US $9.99

Vintage Sterling Silver Thimble 112    US $9.99

Vintage Sterling Silver Thimble 114    US $9.99

Antique STERLING SILVER Sewing Thimble SIMONS BRO CO Philadelphia Pa 2    US $39.98

Antique Sterling Silver 7 Thimble    US $10.00

GORGEOUS THIMBLE HOLDER ANTIQUEFILIGREE STERLING SILVER CHAIR`MID 1800S    US $384.99

Willimantic Thread trade card boy Knight of Silver Thimble helmet 1880s    US $14.50

SILVER SWAN PIN CUSHION WITH THIMBLE PIN TRAY    US $80.78

SOLID STERLING SILVER THIMBLE CHERUBS GARLANDS NOV 1905 SIZE 12 N R    US $39.99

ANTIQUE STERLING SILVER THIMBLE MARKED CHESTER DATED 1904 53g CHARLES HORNER    US $47.53

1895 ANTIQUE SOLID SILVER THIMBLE BIRMINGHAM    US $34.85

Assorted Lot of Five Thimbles Bone China Pewter MOP Silver Souvenir    US $5.00

Authentic Hummel Silver Plated Real Enamel Sewing Thimble Disney 10170    US $15.99

Pair lot Antique Sterling Silver CUPID thimble Art Nouveau Sewing 925 Victorian    US $89.00

ANTIQUE SILVER LADYS COMPANION SEWING CASE ETUI SILVER THIMBLE PENCIL 1840    US $760.46

Victorian Era Sterling Silver Sewing Thimble Ornate Geometrical Design Size 9    US $13.00

Antique Solid Silver Thimble Birminghan 1910    US $7.91

ANTIQUE STERLING SILVER SEWING THIMBLE HOLDER CASE    US $95.00

Sterling Silver Antique Very Old Thimble Over 75 years old Very Rare and Unique    US $9.99

Vintage Ketcham McDougall Sterling Silver Thimble with American Eagle Design    US $19.99

Sterling Silver Thimble 10    US $26.10

PEWTER SOUVENIR THIMBLE FROM SILVER CREEK COLORADO    US $3.24

English Sterling Silver Thimble 1800s    US $16.57

STERLING SILVER BEEHIVE THIMBLE VERY UNIQUE STAMPED 925 182 GRAMS    US $41.00

Antique Victorian Papier Mache Sewing Box Silver Tools Jeweled Thimble Knife    US $1,165.50

ANTIQUE STERLING SILVER 4 VICTORIAN THIMBLES by SIMONS KETCHAM MCDOUGALL    US $49.97

Vintage Sterling Silver and Turquoise Thimble    US $22.00

2 ANTIQUE MARKED STERLING SILVER THIMBLES SEWING    US $9.99

Thimble Cork Silver Blue Moon Bella Artiste Metal Pendant 1 Pkg BA20055    US $7.72

STERLING SILVER ANTIQUE VINTAGE THIMBLE FLORAL LEAF DESIGN EXCELLENT CONDITION    US $39.99

Victorian Antique Velvet Sewing Box Sterling Silver Scissors Thimble Bone Tools    US $56.50

THIMBLE PEWTER ACRYLIC SILVER TOP WALT DISNEY WORLD W MAGIC KINGDOM    US $5.99

STERLING SILVER Children Child Small Sewing Thimble 82    US $24.00

Vintage German Travel Egg Sewing Kit Needle Case w Silver Thimbles    US $9.99

Classic Design Sterling Silver Sewing Thimble 326    US $28.00

Vintage Style Sterling Silver Genuine ONYX Thimble P233    US $45.00

Antique Sterling Silver Fancy Thimble    US $9.99

Thimble Print B Silver Blue Moon Bella Artiste Metal Pendant 1 Pkg BA20057    US $7.65

Elegant Vintage Sterling Silver Thimble Sz 10 E4    US $10.71

Sterling Silver THIMBLE Solid 925 Size 12 Vintage Estate Sewing Collectible    US $29.99

Antique Mother of Pearl Sewing Box Watrous Sterling Silver Scissors Thimble    US $67.75

An Antique Green Stone Silver Thimble From England By James Swann Son    US $64.90

Older 1983 Hallmark Christmas Pin White Mouse In Silver Sewing Thimble EUC    US $4.74

Antique Collectible Sterling Silver Carved Leafy Floral Sewing Thimble 47g    US $10.50

925 stamped Sterling Silver THIMBLE SCISSORS EUROPEAN Dangle Bead Charm    US $10.05

Vintage STERLING SILVER Hand Made Decorated Sewing Thimble IGUALY Mexico    US $49.98

Vintage 935 STERLING SILVER Hand Made ENAMEL Decorated Sewing Thimble    US $39.98

Vintage Sterling Silver Thimble Little Flowers Vines 10    US $15.70

Beautiful Old Sterling Silver Thimble Size 9 E4    US $6.06

THIMBLE OLD SILVER SMALL    US $65.00

INCREDIBLE ANTIQUE ETUI Silver SEWING KIT scissorsThimblelacethreadercase    US $351.99

RUSSIAN FINIFT SILVER ENAMEL THIMBLE NEW    US $20.00

VINTAGE MOTHER OF PEARL AND STERLING SILVER THIMBLE 925 GOLD PLATED    US $20.50

Taxco Sterling Silver Thimble Leaf and Scroll Vintage    US $33.25

Vintage metal silver thimble and metal gold thimble set of two    US $9.99

Silver Over Brass Portugal Enamel Rooster Thimble    US $7.50

ANTIQUE 19c STERLING SILVER SEWING THIMBLE MARKED WITH MAKERS MARK    US $16.51

VINTAGE ORNATE STERLING SILVER SEWING THIMBLE SCISSORS BRACELET CHARM FOB    US $6.32

1890s Sterling Silver Simons Louis XV Rim Thimble    US $25.49

1890 Silver Thimbles Solid Gold Cane Heads Handles ad    US $14.99

Sterling Silver Germany Thimble Two French Import Marks    US $22.49

Vintage Sterling Silver Charm Thimble    US $9.99

VINTAGE ORNATE 8 STERLING SILVER THIMBLE MONOGRAM    US $14.99

Brand New Silver Sewing Thimble Charm Pendant    US $5.99

Vintage Mother of Pearl Abalone Silver Thimble    US $9.99

Metal Thimblesilver with raised design    US $5.75

Metal Thimblesilver with raised leaf like design    US $8.27

Metal Thimblesterling silver with raised flower design    US $6.45

HALLMARKED STERLING SILVER THIMBLE 1913    US $25.33

Metal Thimblesterling silver with raised cherubs    US $17.27

Metal Thimblesterling silver with blue band    US $12.00

Sterling Silver Square Design Thimble With Orange Stone    US $24.49

thimble sewing jerusalem israel Silver plate souvenir    US $8.99

1890s Sterling Silver Stern Wave Scroll Circle Designs Thimble    US $9.99

Antique 1910 Chester Hallmark Solid Silver Thimble    US $31.69

STERLING SILVER THIMBLES 14 ALL TESTED SOME SIGNED OVER 2 OZSSILVER VG NR    US $20.50

Sterling Silver Simons Cupid Pat Nov 21 1905 Thimble    US $12.50

Sterling Silver Rose Design Band Thimble With Blue Stone    US $11.50

James Swan Sons Sterling silver thimble    US $65.00

Sterling Silver Thimble with Arch Designs    US $45.00

Hallmarked DC Percual Sterling Silver Thimble Boston    US $60.00

Sterling Silver Thimble Ketcuh McDougall    US $45.00

Simons Bros Sterling Silver Thimble sz 10    US $55.00

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