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M. FORD CREECH ANTIQUES & FINE  ARTS

 

www.mfordcreech.com

 

 

THIMBLES

 

 


 

 


 

"Thimbles"....

What a wonderful word!  It's mere sound can produce a smile.

 

Tom Thumb once wore a thimble as a hat :

 'A taylor's needle was his sword.

His headpiece was a thimble.

And when he fought, upon my word,

He made the Giants tremble.'

 But oddly few nursery rhymes featured this fanciful word.

 

Thimbles of some sort have been used since man (or woman) began pushing needles through hides. 

The Metropolitan Museum is said to have a stone example from about 2000 BC. 

A 2000 year old Han Dynasty ring-form thimble has been found in China. 

There is controversy over whether or not the Greeks and Romans used them - although examples exist. 

Thimbles  have been found in England dating back to the 10th century -

their use being widespread by the 14th century, with manufacturing centers in Nuremberg and Holland.

 

Most early thimbles were made of brass, 'precious metal' thimbles being somewhat rare,

and silver often considered a bit too soft.

However, Elizabeth I is said to have given a thimble set with precious stones as a gift to a lady-in-waiting.

And thimbles have, ever since, been regarded as the "ideal gift for a lady".

 

 In the 19th century, thimbles also were used as a measure for spirits and gunpowder :

thus the term "Just a Thimbleful" (these 'tot' thimbles becoming the "ideal gift for a gentleman").

 

We are delighted to present a small selection of English thimbles of silver and enamel,

dating from the time of Elizabeth  I (c1590-1600), to a 19th century leather-cased tot thimble.

They all make my day just a little brighter. 

I hope they do the same for you.

 


 

 

 Please click here, or on the images above for the fully illustrated page.

 


 

Please email, or call, if you have any questions.  Yes...all are for sale.

 

Millicent Ford Creech

 

 

901-761-1163 (gallery) / 901-827-4668 (cell)

 

581 S. PERKINS ROAD / LAURELWOOD COLLECTION / MEMPHIS, TN 38117

Hours : Wed.-Sat. 11-6, or by appointment

Complimentary Gift Wrapping

 

mfcreech@bellsouth.net  or  mfordcreech@gmail.com

www.mfordcreech.com

 

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 © Some images are copyrighted by their authors and used by permission.

They appear here for your enjoyment only.

Please do not reproduce without specific written permission.

  

English Thimbles, Silver & Enamel, from c1590-1876