Rights Holder: West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service
CC License: 
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
THIMBLE
Unique ID: SWYOR-5BC2A7
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A complete cast lead object, possibly a palm guard, probably dating from the 17th-20th century (c. AD 1600 - c. AD 2000). This palm guard is sub-circular in plan. It has a shallow central depression at the front. However, the front does not possess any other depressions that might have been used for placing the end of a needle whilst it was being pushed through material. The object has been crudely cast and the reverse is convex. Leather workers' palm guards are discussed in an article in Gordon Bailey's 'Detector Finds 2', 1993, pages 64-5. Most examples of palm guards are made of lead, although some have the addition of tin, which was used to produce a harder metal. The final product, when made, was enclosed in a thin leather pouch or wrapped in cloth which would have a hole going through it to match a depression in the lead. The whole lot was then strapped to the hand and would give protection when forcing needles through touch material. Dating of these artefacts is very difficult, although the earliest examples seem to date from the 17th century AD, although they may have been in use right through to the 20th century (Bailey, 1993, page 64). This one has a smooth grey patina. Similar examples are SUR-B5D907 and IOW-2A8221.
Sub class: Palm guard
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: MODERN
Date from: Circa AD 1600
Date to: Circa AD 2000
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 13.12 mm
Weight: 104.8 g
Diameter: 40.64 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Wednesday 16th June 2010 - Thursday 16th September 2010
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Other reference numbers
Other reference: PAS form number 1241
Materials and construction
Primary material: Lead Alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: Yorkshire and the Humber (European Region)County or Unitary authority: East Riding of Yorkshire (Unitary Authority)
District: East Riding of Yorkshire (Unitary Authority)
To be known as: North Ferriby
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
Similar objects
Find number: IOW-2A8221
Object type: THIMBLE
Broadperiod: POST MEDIEVAL
A complete cast lead object, possibly a palm guard, probably dating from the 17th-20th century (c. AD 1600 - c. AD 2000). Maximum diameter: 5…
Workflow: Published
Find number: SWYOR-34EE00
Object type: THIMBLE
Broadperiod: POST MEDIEVAL
A complete cast lead object, possibly a palm guard, probably dating from the 17th-20th century (c. AD 1600 - c. AD 1950). This palm guard i…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: WMID-B40425
Object type: THIMBLE
Broadperiod: POST MEDIEVAL
An incomplete cast lead leather worker's palm guard, probably dating from the 17th-20th century AD (length: 85mm; width: 48mm; thickness: 8mm…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Timeline of associated dates
About Us
About our Site
Find us
The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG.
T: +44(0) 20 73238618