Silver Thimbles
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Thimbles can be a "Work of Art" and may silver
thimbles fall into category with carvings of birds, animals, people and
landscapes. The etchings on silver can be both fine and intricate
and frequently are. Many antique silver thimbles are family
heirlooms that have been in the families for many generations.
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Thimbles
The concept of a thimble originated during the time
period of the Roman Empire. Since
bronze was the most abundant metal of the Roman
Empire, most thimbles were not made of silver. In China other materials were being
developed for thimbles such as metals, glass, and wood. Fine china was
also used to make thimbles. In Europe
and in the 19th century when silver became more prevalent, because the
metal is very malleable thimbles could be made more decorative and
quicker.
There was however a very big problem with silver
thimbles that was solved by the engineer Charles Horner. The needles
used for sewing were made of steel and could easily go right through the
thimbles. Horner decided that the easiest way to make durable silver
thimbles was to line the inside of the thimble and sometimes the outside
of the thimble with steel.
Collectors are always looking for these legendary
steel lined silver thimbles and are often sold under the name of Dorcas.
The silver thimbles to this day are quite the collectors’ items and
there are many sites online to purchase old and new thimbles from. A
simple search on Google for “Silver Thimbles” will reveal an idea of the
number of silver thimble collectors shops and individual purchasers.
The price for silver thimbles will
range from $30 - $90 and often depends on the intricacies and the
country of origin for the thimbles. English silver thimbles tend to be
plain and often have fewer scenes etched on them. Silver thimbles from
Germany
are often the most expensive and usually contain color and very
intricate scenes that are hand carved. Silver
thimbles made by a famous company called Simons are very popular and
tend to be middle priced at around $45. Personally I have a sweet spot
for German silver thimbles because of their colored swans and flowers
around the bottom of the thimble.
In conclusion I want to stress the most important part
of thimble purchasing and research. Price of the thimble does necessary
equate to a quality and appreciation. As any collector will tell you,
price is what you pay but value is what you get. You may love English
silver thimbles which are less expensive but this does not make you less
of a collector. Focus on what you enjoy and do not focus too much on
what is popular in collector circles. Remember, even if you are buying
and selling collectibles you have to love the item in your possession
because it is very possible that the thimbles do not sell. Most
importantly clean and store the thimbles in a non-oxidizing environment
so that the silver and still linings do not tarnish as rapidly. Another
important point to keep in mind is the history surrounding the thimble.
Like any collectors item, when you buy them you become an owner of a
part of history. In olden times these thimbles were on the hands of
women weaving the threads of a culture. The thimble manufactures were
often artists and the pieces of artwork they created were worn on the
fingers of some of the greatest seamstresses in American and European
history.