THIMBLE

Treasure case 2016 T832: Disclaimed, returned to finder

Description: Post Medieval silver thimble formed of a domed top soldered onto a slightly tapering cylinder. The top is decorated with two recessed rings encircling an unrecessed crown enclosed by a recessed outer border with raised foliate decoration. The sides have a plain band top and bottom. The central part is decorated with regular rows of indented squares with a raised grid between them creating a 'waffle' pattern. Cutting across this pattern is a broad continuous zig-zag line running around the middle of the thimble. This line has a recess centre and raised borders. A pair of incised plain lines runs around the base just above the edge. Various folds are visible in the edge as well as a possible soldered seam up the side and a crack up the opposite side.

Dimensions: The thimble is 26.6mm tall, 17.6mm by 14.9 mm at the base and weighs 5.64 grams.

Discussion: Similar thimbles are illustrated in McConnel (1999:24) and are dated to the mid-17th century and are of English manufacture. Holmes (1988:3) also suggests they are of English manufacture and date to c. AD 1580 to 1650. Many similar thimbles have been reported through the treasure process with a range of decorative lines on the waffle pattern including: DEV-D013EA (2015 T758) LIN-3ED029 (2004 T161), SOM-D37677 (2006 T137), SUR-B665D3 (2012 T821) and LON-D4CA92.

The object appears to consist of over 10% precious metal and be over 300 years old at the time of finding and as such qualifies as potential Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996.