The earliest metal thimbles date to the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 202 CE) in ancient China. They were used to protect the thumb when sewing thick fabrics or leather. In medieval Europe, thimbles were made from thick leather, bone, and ivory, in addition to metals such as brass. In the 1700’s, access to cheap silver in the Americas made silver thimbles a popular gift for ladies. While thimbles may be very plain or covered with small geometric designs, they can also be very elaborate with engraved pictures and initials.
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University of Texas at Austin
College of Liberal Arts
