This item is from a collection donated by descendants of John Francis Turner of Wodonga. Thimbles were used for both practical and decorative purposes and were created in a range of styles. Popular history also suggests that roots of the modern-day wedding ring in America had an interesting tie to a thimble. Puritans that colonized in early America did not believe in adornment. A common practice among these early Americans was for a man to present a thimble to his fiancée which was symbolic of his wish to marry her. These brides began to cut off the rim on these thimbles and making a simple band they would wear on their finger. Thus, the practice of wedding rings for women started.This item comes from a collection used by a prominent citizen of Wodonga. It is also representative of a domestic item common in the 1930s.A silver thimble decorated with filigree work above a solid bottom section.domestic items, filigree thimble, womens social history, women's work

Thimble is an important tool for hand sewing. A filigree thimble is more decorative than practical. Example of an attractive silver thimble Silver filigree thimble with red stones inset around lower edge, diamond shaped motifs between the stones, Top has 7 lobed flower in centre, surrounded by ring of circlessewing tool