THIMBLE

A complete silver thimble dating to the Post-Medieval period, c. 1600-1700.

Description: The thimble is of two piece construction, consisting a sheet metal wall soldered together at one edge and a separate domed crown soldered to the top of the sides. The latter have split down their original joining point, though the thimble remains intact despite this.

The base of the thimble is sub-oval in plan due to slight distortion. The walls are decorated with square dimples and on each side two flat bands of half crescents connected with small rectangles. There is a plain band at the bottom with the inscription '+i JOY IN THEE'. There is a split down one side where it was slightly squashed.

Dimensions: Height: 26.26mm; width at base: 19.12mm; width at crown: 15.04mm: thickness: 0.40mm; weight: 4.74g. 

Discussion: A number of very similar inscibred silver thimbles have been recorded on the PAS database and reported under the Treasure Act 1996. These include: SF-FF7DF8, CAM-8A9FB5 and LANCUM-3FF604. A number are also illustrated by Read (2018, 24). So-called 'posies' on thimbles generally fall into three categories: 1) expressions of love or affection in a similar manner to 'posy' type rings, 2) expressions regarding industry or work the thimble itself might undertake, 3) religious passages or statements. This example clearly falls into the 1st of these a similar example, with an example possibly demonstrating the same message recorded at HAMP-8E2D65. Thimbles of this form are typically dated to the first three quarters of the 17^th century (McConnell 1995, 24, Read 2018, 51) and appear to be of English manufacture. 

Conclusion: It is therefore clear that this assemblage dates to before 1718 and as the object is made of more than 10% precious metals, it constitutes potential Treasure under the stipulations of The Treasure Act 1996