Medioevo, XV–XVI secolo Bronzo ditali

“Medieval Bronze Thimbles (2)

Culture / Period: Medieval, 15th - 16th century
Date / Period: 15th - 16th century
Material: Bronze
Dimensions: 20 and 14 mm
Condition: Good condition

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Provenance information:
Object Registration ID: 837

The current owner (S.N.J. S.) purchased the thimbles from P.P. in Baarland, the Netherlands.

The previous owner, P.P. from Baarland (the Netherlands), stated that the objects had been in his collection since the 1990's.

According to the previous owner, the objects had previously been in a private collection in the Netherlands since the 1990's.

No further information concerning the earlier ownership history of the objects was available from the previous owner.

Background Information:
This pair of bronze sewing thimbles dates to the late Medieval period and represents essential tools of textile production and garment repair. Thimbles protected the finger while pushing a needle through heavy fabrics, leather, or multiple layers of cloth, making them indispensable to tailors, leatherworkers, embroiderers, and households alike.

The larger example features the characteristic domed form with closely spaced punched indentations covering the surface, while the smaller thimble has a more tapered profile with a neatly arranged pattern of dimples. These indentations provided grip for the needle and reflect the established manufacturing techniques employed by specialised metalworkers during the 15th and 16th centuries.

Bronze thimbles of this type are regularly recovered from medieval towns, castles, monasteries, and rural settlements throughout northwestern Europe, illustrating the widespread importance of textile production in everyday life. Sewing was not only a domestic activity but also a skilled craft carried out by professional artisans supplying clothing, footwear, and household furnishings.

Complete medieval bronze thimbles are increasingly appreciated by collectors because they are durable yet often found damaged or heavily worn after centuries of use. This matching pair provides an excellent illustration of the variations in size and form that existed for different users and sewing tasks.

These objects form a tangible connection to the medieval world, where skilled craftsmanship and textile production were fundamental aspects of daily life and economic activity.