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Unique ID: KENT-BB00F9
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
An incomplete silver thimble of post-medieval date (c. 1600-1750)
Description: The thimble is conical, with a slightly wider base than top, which is missing its dome. The top and bottom edges have plain bands, the lower band wider and with an inscription within a plain lined border. The inscription reads 'BE TREV IN LOVE'. Between each word and at the beggining and end of the inscription are four-pointed stars. The main body of the thimble decorated with regular rows of indented squares, some more curicular, with a raised grid between them creating a 'waffle' pattern. Across this pattern, undecorated, are two pairs of opposing 'Z's'. The base of the thimble is damaged with the edges split and bent in places.
Measurements: height: 16.2mm; diameter: 17.6mm; thickness(of thimble wall): 0.8mm; weight: 5.41g
Discussion: A number of very similar inscibred silver thimbles have been recorded on the PAS database and reported under the Treasure Act 1996. These include: SF-FF7DF8, CAM-8A9FB5 and LANCUM-3FF604. A number are also illustrated by Read (2018, 24). So-called 'posies' on thimbles generally fall into three categories: 1) expressions of love or affection in a similar manner to 'posy' type rings, 2) expressions regarding industry or work the thimble itself might undertake, 3) religious passages or statements. This example clearly falls into the 1st of these a similar example, with an example possibly demonstrating the same message recorded at HAMP-8E2D65. Thimbles of this form are typically dated to the first three quarters of the 17th century (McConnell 1995, 24, Read 2018, 51) and appear to be of English manufacture.
Inscription:
BE TREV IN LOVE
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Treasure case tracking number: 2022T59
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Quantity: 1
Date(s) of discovery: Tuesday 28th September 2021
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Treasure case number: 2022T59
4 Figure: TQ9925
Four figure Latitude: 50.98999073
Four figure longitude: 0.83415817
1:25K map: TQ9925
1:10K map: TQ92NE
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
McConnel, B. | 1995 | The Collector's Guide to Thimbles | Bracken Books | ||||
Read, B. | 2018 | Metal Sewing-Thimbles Found in Britain | Oxford | Archaeopress |