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.
 925 Silver Sewing Thimble marked Iguala 925 EMC from Mexico  US $20.00 |  Paul Joe Eye Color18 Silver Thimble 09 oz US $16.75 |
 VINTAGE 925 STERLING SILVER SEWING THIMBLE US $10.45 |  Lot of 11 Vintage Sterling Silver Thimbles US $60.00 |
 Neat GAIL silver color raccoon thimble US $6.99 |  Crystal Cathedral silver color thimble US $6.99 |
 Disneyland silver color thimble US $4.99 |  STERLING SILVER RIM ON BLACK THIMBLE VINTAGE FMOREL US $29.99 |
 Vintage Thimble Silver Toned Charm US $14.99 |  b266 ROMANIA SILVER thimble 1900 years US $499.00 |
 Fine Antique Silver Thimble US $15.14 |  Fine Antique Silver Thimble US $16.47 |
 Vintage 1940s Sterling Silver Thimble Bracelet Charm US $17.00 |  THIMBLE ANTIQUE STERLING SILVER 14K GOLD KETCHAM MCDOUGALL SZ 7 MONOGRAM US $14.99 |
 Sterling Silver Thimble with GREEN stone on top US $25.00 |  Older 1983 Hallmark Christmas Pin White Mouse In Silver Sewing Thimble EUC US $4.99 |
 Antique Silver Thimble Engraved Paneled Star Sterling 8 US $52.80 |  Sterling Silver Shot Glass Engraved Huge Thimble Humorous Gift Bourbon Keepsake US $250.00 |
 THIMBLE CASE NUT WITH SILVER AMERICAN THIMBLE PERFECT US $95.00 |  Sterling Silver Thimble and Scissors Charm US $12.38 |
 SCRAP OR REPAIR SILVER THIMBLE US $1.55 |  Sterling silver Thimble charm solid US $20.37 |
 Vintage Thimble Collectors Guide c1900 Sterling Silver US $44.95 |  1890 Two toned Silver Colored American Thimble Hallmark US $95.00 |
 Vintage Silver Metal Thimble 8 Germany Edge Design US $9.77 |  Vintage TAXCO Solid Sterling Silver Thimble 925 Fine Free Shipping NR Ω US $20.50 |
 925 Sterling Silver Wire Protector Wire Guardian Cable Thimble F124 M 100 pcs US $27.99 |  VINTAGE SILVER THIMBLE BY HENRY GRIFFITH SONS MINT NO 18 US $28.03 |
 Antique Sterling Silver 10 Sewing Thimble US $24.00 |  Antique Sterling Silver 11 Sewing Thimble Unique US $28.00 |
 VINTAGE SILVER THIMBLE BY HENRY GRIFFITH SONS THE SPA NO18 US $15.67 |  VINTAGE SILVER THIMBLE BY HENRY GRIFFITH SONS THE SPA NO17 US $15.67 |
 VINTAGE STG SILVER CHARM THIMBLE US $4.69 |  VINTAGE SOLID SILVER GUILLOCHE ENAMEL SEWING THIMBLE VISIT MY STORE US $99.99 |
 STERLING SILVER Sewing Thimble KETCHAM McDOUGALL 1880 US $49.00 |  Santas Workbench Silver Thimble Dressmaker US $25.00 |
 Antique Sterling Silver Thimble 41g 925 silver w green tip US $10.50 |  ANTIQUE MINIATURE SILVER SEWING THIMBLE FOR DOLLS 1 2 TALL US $79.50 |
 Vintage silver color thimble US $3.99 |  Silver color size 11 thimble US $2.99 |
 Silver Color size 10 thimble US $1.99 |  Sterling Silver Thimble 12 US $3.95 |
 c1970 Vintage Solid Silver Hallmarked Georg Jensen Red Glass Top Thimble US $219.59 |  11 STERLING SILVER THIMBLES VARIOUS DESIGNS AND ARTWORK COOL COLLECTIBLES LOT6 US $41.00 |
 10 STERLING SILVER THIMBLES VARIOUS DESIGNS AND ARTWORK COOL COLLECTIBLES LOT5 US $63.99 |  10 STERLING SILVER THIMBLES VARIOUS DESIGNS AND ARTWORK COOL COLLECTIBLES LOT4 US $68.99 |
 10 STERLING SILVER THIMBLES VARIOUS DESIGNS AND ARTWORK COOL COLLECTIBLES LOT3 US $89.99 |  10 STERLING SILVER THIMBLES VARIOUS DESIGNS AND ARTWORK COOL COLLECTIBLES LOT2 US $42.99 |
 10 STERLING SILVER THIMBLES VARIOUS DESIGNS AND ARTWORK COOL COLLECTIBLES LOT1 US $43.99 |  SHOT GLASS Only A Thimble FullHeavy Weight Sterling Silver Jigger Shot glass US $80.00 |
 4 STERLING SILVER 14K GOLD THIMBLES COOL COLLECTIBLES LOT7 US $48.53 |  7 UNUSUAL DESIGNS STERLING SILVER THIMBLES COOL COLLECTIBLES LOT8 US $42.55 |
 Collectors Lot 3 Russian Thimbles Silver Copper C1900 US $475.00 |  Fine Vintage Continental Sterling Silver Thimble US $99.00 |
 Superb Vintage Continental 925 Sterling Silver Thimble US $99.00 |  Fine Vintage Continental 925 Sterling Silver Thimble US $99.00 |
 THIMBLE SILVER METAL MOTHER OF PEARL RED ABALONE US $5.99 |  THIMBLE GOLDTONE WITH SILVER OYSTER ON TOP THAT OPENS SHOWS PEARL US $5.99 |
 THIMBLE STERLING SILVER W TURQUOISE STONE DESIGN US $9.99 |  VICTORIAN STERLING SILVER THIMBLE SWEET FLOWER LEAF ENGRAVING US $36.00 |
 SILVER TONE THIMBLE WIRE PIERCED EARRINGS US $2.99 |  2 Vintage Antique Sterling Silver Thimbles Germany Simons Brothers US $25.00 |
 2 Vintage Antique Sterling Silver Gold Filled Thimbles Webster Stern Brothers US $30.00 |  VINTAGE STERLING SILVER THIMBLE CHARM US $9.99 |
 Antique Sterling Silver Thimble Gold Band US $10.50 |  Porcelian Images Embedded into Silver unmarked Thimble NR US $2.99 |
 Vintage 10 Panel Sterling Silver 11 Thimble Marked Initials Embossed Panels US $22.49 |  DULUTH MINNESOTA THIMBLE IS SILVER US $1.99 |
 SUPERIOR WISCONSIN THIMBLE IS SILVER AND HAS STATE LOGO ON FRONT US $2.99 |  Two Vintage Sterling Silver Thimbles US $15.99 |
 Silver Color Salzburg Thimble US $3.99 |  Silver color heavier weight thimble US $2.99 |
 Silver color metal thimble US $2.99 |  Silver color size 11 thimble US $1.99 |
 Sterling Silver Simons Gold Abstract Thimble Engraved JL US $9.99 |  Silver Plated Enamel Thimble Lucerne Switzerland US $5.50 |
 Sterling Silver Simons Pat1889 Repousse Border Thimble US $39.00 |  c1880 Silver Colored American Thimble Hallmark US $95.00 |
 Unique 1981 British Sterling Silver Pope John Paul ll In Rome Thimble US $22.17 |  Sterling Silver Yaacov Yemini With Isreal Sand Thimble US $18.67 |
 Chinese antique signet ring silver colored metal thimble happiness US $15.00 |  Chatelaine STERLING SILVER THREAD CASE THIMBLE sewing kit old antique vintage US $174.99 |
 Sterling Silver Scandinavian Thimble Stone Engraved 19 2 1910 US $13.67 |  1880s Sterling Silver KMD Bright Cut Palmette Thimble US $9.99 |
 Sterling Silver Norway Haakon Jakobsen Thimble Red Stone US $11.50 |  Sterling Silver England H Griffith Sons Daisies Thimble US $16.17 |
 1900s Sterling Silver Waite Thresher Birds Thimble US $31.00 |  STERLING SILVER CHARM Seamstress Sew Sewing THIMBLE US $11.95 |
 Antique Floral Sterling Silver Thimble Size 9 US $65.99 |  Sterling Silver C Horner Pat Early Dorcus Thimble US $9.99 |
 1890 Silver Italian Thimble Hallmarked w Red Jewels US $295.00 |  Sterling Silver Simons Dominos Design Band Thimble US $9.99 |
 Sterling Silver England James Fenton Knurling Thimble US $9.99 |  Antique Sterling Silver Thimble wi Engaved Design Hmkd Chester 1901 Makers CCO US $23.51 |
 1890 Silver German Purple Stone Thimble Hallmarked US $295.00 |  SILVER Filigree Thimble 2Flowers w GREEN ctr NEW US $15.00 |
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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... |
