Rights Holder: The Portable Antiquities Scheme
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Unique ID: PUBLIC-624AD5
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published
Treasure Case 2013-T265: Specialist Report
Silver 17th Century thimble from the Ross on Wye Area - Herefordshire
Date: Post Medieval (1600 - 1700 AD)
Date of discovery: March 2013
Circumstances of discovery: Found whilst searching with a metal detector
Description:
An incomplete silver thimble formed in two parts - only the lower body survives as the domed top is lost. The body itself is crushed flat and the seam is split. The sides are decorated with conjoined annulets. At the base is a beaded band and the lower edge has been rolled to form a thickened edge. A rectangular panel is reserved of decoration on the front face and is inscribed with the owners initials M P - these initials are cut and have neat terminal serifs. To either edge of the panel are repeated maker's mark, this consists of a shield shaped cartouch with a V within.
Dimensions:
Height 14.3mm, wall thickness 0.4mm. Weight 4.78g.
Discussion and Dating:
Silver thimbles were used increasingly by the European nobility and gentry during the 17th Century but surviving examples are rare given that thimbles were much used and, when worn, were likely to have been melted down for their bullion value. In England, silver thimbles are documented as having been donated by women on the Parliamentary side to be melted down during the Civil War. Even later 17th Century English silver thimbles are rare, with few pieces in the national collections in The British Museum and the Museum of London.
Two similar examples similar to this can be seen below - both of which were declared treasure.
2012T645 / NMS-9A2C60 from Wreningham, Norfolk http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/521114
2007T309 / NMS-E87756 from Langley with Harley, Norfolk: http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/247457
Metal Content:
I believe that the precious metal content (silver) of the thimble fulfills the requirements of the Treasure Act in that it is greater than 10%.
Statement:
The age and precious metal content of the thimble meet the criteria for Treasure as described in the Treasure Act 1996
References:
Darch,E (2012) NMS-9A2C60 A POST MEDIEVAL THIMBLE Webpage available at: http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/521114
Thornton, D. (2009) NMS-E87756 A POST MEDIEVAL THIMBLE Webpage available at: http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/247457
Authors:
Peter Reavill, Finds Liaison Officer, Portable Antiquities Scheme
Dr Patrick Brown, Recorder with PAS
Notes:
.
Current location of find: with finder
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder after being disclaimed as Treasure
Treasure case tracking number: 2013T265
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1650
Date to: Circa AD 1700
Quantity: 1
Height: 14.3 mm
Thickness: 0.4 mm
Weight: 4.78 g
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Treasure case number: 2013T265
Primary material: Silver
Manufacture method: Hand made
Decoration style: Geometric
Completeness: Incomplete
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
No references cited so far.