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THIMBLE
Unique ID: IOW-A9A877
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A post-Medieval to Modern cast lead leather workers' palm guard situated within an oyster shell in which it has been cast (c. 1600-c. 1900).
This irregular shaped guard has been cast in an oyster shell, now incomplete. The beak (or umbo) of the shell at the anterior end is complete and the posterior end is largely missing.
The lead protrudes through a sub-circular hole on the outer face of the shell.
Length: 62.94mm; width: 49.50m; thickness: 14.98mm. Weight: 88.89g.
Leather workers' palm guards are discussed in an article in Gordon Bailey's 'Detector Finds 2', 1993, pages 64-65. Originally identified by W. Wyman of London, most of the examples 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 was then strapped to the hand and would give protection when forcing needles through tough 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, page 64).
Class:
Palm guard
Sub class: Oyster shell
Subsequent actions
Current location of find: Finder
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Early
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: MODERN
Date from: Circa AD 1600
Date to: Circa AD 1900
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 62.94 mm
Width: 49.5 mm
Thickness: 14.98 mm
Weight: 88.89 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 18th November 2012
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: IOW2012-1-573
Materials and construction
Primary material: Lead
Secondary material: Other
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Isle of Wight (Unitary Authority)
District: Isle of Wight (Unitary Authority)
To be known as: Isle of Wight
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bailey, G. | 1995 | Detector Finds | Chelmsford | Greenlight Publishing | 64-65 |
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Timeline of associated dates
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