Μεταμεσαιωνικός μπρούντζος Συλλογή δεκαεπτά θίμπλς (χωρίς τιμή ασφαλείας)

«Post Medieval Bronze Collection of Seventeen Thimbles»

Culture / Period: Post Medieval
Date / Period: 17th–18th century
Material: Bronze
Dimensions: 10–25 mm
Condition: Good condition

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Provenance information:
Object Registration ID: 140

The current owner purchased this Post Medieval Bronze Collection of Seventeen Thimbles from a private collector, P.V., in Stramproy, the Netherlands.
The previous owner, a private collector from Stramproy, stated that the collection had been part of his collection since 1990.
According to the previous owner, the collection had previously been in a private collection in the Netherlands before 1990.
No further information concerning the earlier ownership history of the collection was available.

Background Information:

This collection consists of seventeen bronze thimbles dating to the Post Medieval period, approximately the 17th to 18th century. Thimbles were essential tools used in sewing, tailoring, embroidery, and the repair of clothing. By protecting the finger while pushing a needle through fabric, they enabled more efficient and precise needlework, making them indispensable household and professional implements.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, textile production and clothing manufacture played a central role in daily life throughout Europe. Much of the sewing required for household maintenance was undertaken within the home, while professional tailors, seamstresses, and textile workers relied on thimbles as part of their standard equipment. As a result, thimbles were among the most commonly used personal tools of the period.

Bronze and copper-alloy thimbles were widely produced in specialised workshops. They were typically cast and finished by hand, with the characteristic pattern of indentations carefully created to provide grip for the sewing needle. Variations in shape, size, and decoration often reflect changing fashions, manufacturing techniques, and regional traditions. Collections containing multiple examples can therefore illustrate the development of thimble production over time.

The growth of trade and urban manufacturing during the Post Medieval period contributed to the widespread distribution of such objects. Thimbles were produced in large quantities and circulated through local markets as well as broader commercial networks connecting towns and regions across Europe. Their durability ensured that many remained in use for extended periods before eventually being lost or discarded.

These thimbles are important artefacts that provide insight into domestic life, textile production, craftsmanship, and everyday economic activity. They offer valuable evidence for the practical skills that were essential within households and workshops during the early modern period.

Dating from the 17th to 18th century, this collection represents a group of authentic everyday objects that once played a vital role in clothing production and repair. It forms a tangible connection to the Post Medieval world, where sewing and textile work were fundamental aspects of daily life. These thimbles provide a direct and physical link to the craftsmen, seamstresses, and household members who used such tools on a regular basis.