THIMBLE

A complete copper alloy domed / beehive thimble of the Late Medieval to Early Post Medieval period, dating from c. AD 1400 to c. AD 1550.

The thimble is of the beehive or domed shape, and is circular in plan. A series of circular holes or indentations have been punched around the sides in an irregular spiral from base to top. There is a circular area at the top of the object with no indentations. There is a grooove running circumferentially around the base of the object. The inside is plain and undecorated.

The thimble measures 18.1 mm tall, a maximum diameter of 17.6 mm (at the base) and is 12.7 mm in diameter at the top. The walls are 1.6 mm thick. It weighs 6.3 g.

The thimble is a mid to dark green colour, with an even surface patina. Abrasion caused by movement whilst within the plough soil may have resulted in the loss of some of the original surface detail.

This style of thimble is commonly known as a beehive thimble, and has been dated to the Late Medieval period (AD 1400 to AD 1550) by Holmes (1988). Holmes suggests that this style is consistent with being a 'heavy duty' type, see fig 2 b. Similar examples have also been recorded on the database including WMID-CE672D, WMID-6B1632 and WMID-5B7304.

Reference:
Holmes, E.F. (1988) Sewing Thimbles. Finds Research Group Datasheet 9. Finds Research Group 700-1700, Norwich.