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THIMBLE
Unique ID: SOM-F97398
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
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 T61), 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.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder after being disclaimed as Treasure
Treasure details
Treasure case tracking number: 2016T832
Chronology
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1580
Date to: Circa AD 1675
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 26.6 mm
Width: 17.6 mm
Thickness: 14.9 mm
Weight: 5.46 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Friday 30th September 2016 - Friday 30th September 2016
Personal details
Found by: This information is restricted for your login.
Recorded by: Ms Laura Burnett
Identified by: Ms Laura Burnett
Other reference numbers
Other reference: SCC receipt 17442
Treasure case number: 2016T832
Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: South West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Devon (County)
District: East Devon (District)
To be known as: Heathayes
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
- Holmes, E.F., 1988 Sewing Thimbles Finds Research Group 700-1700 Datasheet 9
- McConnel, B., 1995. The Collector's Guide to Thimbles : Bracken Books
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Timeline of associated dates
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