Charles Horner's patent combining strength of steel with silver was to create a thimble which offered durability of steel with silver which stayed cleaner for the needleworker than brass or iron thimbles.Notable improvement in the quality of thimbles which were essential tools for the needleworker.Steel and silver thimble and boxBox: The Improved Dorcas. Thimble: CH 7 Dorcas on plain lower border, domed upper thimble decorated with Louise designdorcas thimble. charles horner

Steel lined silver thimbles were a great improvement in an era when thimbles were essential tools for the needleworker.Silver is soft and silver thimbles hole easily, Charles Horner's steel lined silver thimble was a significant improvement for needleworkersSteel lined silver thimble. Thimble plain rim marked CH 7 DORCAS. Upper domed body with Louise design.dorcas thimble. charles horner, steel lined silver thimble

Thimbles have long been used as a shield for the fingertip when hand sewing. This thimble was made in Taxco, Mexico, a place famous for its silver work blending pre-Columbian motifs with baroque and art deco aesthetics. This thimble is part of a group of eight thimbles which belonged to Beryl Collett (1925-2018), a local woman with considerable handicraft skills and interests. These thimbles form part of a large and varied range of objects which were either collected by or hand-made by Beryl and which have been donated to the Museum. This varied thimble collection has been collected during the long lifetime of a local woman who enjoyed needlework and lacemaking.Taxco handmade sterling silver thimble with a very ornate pattern on the side. No band at rim. Thimble has a seam. The top has been damaged and repaired with solder. Inside thimble is imprinted '15' followed by indiscernible maker's marks.beryl collett, thimbles, taxco, mexico

Thimbles have long been used as a shield for the fingertip when hand sewing. This thimble was made in Taxco, Mexico, a place famous for its silver work blending pre-Columbian motifs with baroque and art deco aesthetics. This thimble is part of a group of eight thimbles which belonged to Beryl Collett (1925-2018), a woman with considerable handicraft skills and interests. They form part of a large and varied range of objects which were either collected by or hand-made by Beryl and which have been donated to the Museum. This varied thimble collection has been collected during the long lifetime of a local woman who enjoyed needlework and lacemaking.Taxco handmade sterling silver thimble with a scroll pattern on the side and a narrow abalone inlay band around rim. Honeycomb pattern on the top. Thimble has a seam. Inside thimble are a 4-digit number and maker's marks which are difficult to decipher.beryl collett, thimbles, taxco

The thimble is an important tool in hand sewing and embroidery used to protect the finger when pushing needles through fabric. Silver thimbles were often given as personal gifts. This thimble was made by one of the three famous Birmingham thimble makers. Henry Griffiths& Sons were one of the most famous silver thimble makers of Birmingham. The firm was established in 1850 and only closed in 1982.Sterling silver thimble, waffle and daisy checkerboard pattern, plain rim.Rd 171259, 17, HG&S, Lion, Odecorative sewing tool, henry griffiths thimble

Thimbles were essential tools for sewing, especially in an era of very fine sewing needles. Thimbles were an essential item on sewing chatelaines which were very popular in Victorian timesSilver gilt, embossed thimble bucket with two chains and a ring to attach to chatelaine chain. Velvet lining and thimble are missingneedle case, chatelaine

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 hand sewing tool, used to protect the finger when pushing needle through fabric. Silver thimble were often given as special personal gifts as they were more expensive. Made by Herny Griffith & Son, one of the three most important silver thimble makers of BritainSterling silver thimble, top half plain knurled design, lower band roses (5 petals) and one undecorated panel HG&S, 15, Lion, Anchor, Y needlework tool, henry griffith & sons thimble

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 circlesDiamond shaped motifs between the stones and a flower with 7 petals is in the centre of the top.sewing tool, thimble set with stones

Thimble probably made in Russia or Baltic States as that is where the 875 purity of silver was commonly used.Unusual decorative thimble possibly from Russia or Baltic States.Thimble of sheet construction with an applied triangular edging of circles of wire. Plain sides and apex also covered with wire circles in a 5 pointed star patternLower band of circle pattern. Above applied triangular decoration with circles. 875 stamped inside apex.thimble, ? russian

Thimbles have long been used as a shield for the fingertip when hand sewing In the Victorian period, an ornate silver thimble would be given as an engagement gift, but silver proved too soft for withstanding pins. In 1885, Charles Horner patented a new silver thimble with a steel core which became the Dorcas thimble and enabled a functional but still decorative thimble. This particular thimble was made by Charles Horner post 1905 and is part of a thimble collection which was owned by Kallista woman, Beryl Collett (1925-2018). Some may have originally belonged to her mother (Hettie Collett nee Thorn) who was a talented milliner and from whom Beryl first learnt her considerable handicraft skills. These thimbles form part of a large and varied range of objects which were either collected by or made by Beryl. This varied thimble collection has been collected during the long lifetime of a local woman who enjoyed needlework and lacemaking.Silver thimble with a dense floral design on the side and top of thimble. Plain band around rim of thimble. Markings indicate it is a Size 4, Charles Horner thimble.Bottom band imprinted: 'CH 4 / DORCAS'. beryl collett, hettie collett, thimbles, charles horner

Thimbles have long been used as a shield for the fingertip when hand sewing In the Victorian period, an ornate silver thimble would be given as an engagement gift, but silver proved too soft for withstanding pins. In 1885, Charles Horner patented a new silver thimble with a steel core which became the Dorcas thimble and enabled a functional but still decorative thimble. This particular thimble was made by Charles Horner post 1905. The thimble collection was owned by Kallista woman, Beryl Collett (1925-2018). Some may have originally belonged to her mother (Hettie Collett nee Thorn) who was a talented milliner and from whom Beryl first learnt her considerable handicraft skills. These thimbles form part of a large and varied range of objects which were either collected by or hand-made by Beryl and which have been donated to the Museum. This varied thimble collection has been collected during the long lifetime of a local woman who enjoyed needlework and lacemaking.Silver thimble with a floral decorative design on top and side of thimble. Underneath that is a band of a pattern of repeated squares. Around the rim is a plain band with manufacturer's imprint. Markings indicate it is a Size 5, Charles Horner thimble.On bottom band imprinted: 'CH 5 / DORCAS'. beryl collett, hettie collett, thimbles, charles horner

Blackberry patterned silver thimbles were popular in late 1800's. Patterns involving leaves and fruit covered the thimble. Blackberry patterned thimbles have been popular for silver thimble collectorsSterling silver thimble patterned with leaves and flowers - Blackberry pattern Hallmark: Leopard's head, Lion rampart, letter I in a shieldblackberry pattern thimble, silver thimble

Plastic thimbles were produced in late 19th and early 20th century, inexpensive, litghtweight alternatives to traditional materials such as metal and bone. Charles Iles was one producer of plastic thimbles Plastic thimbles with dot type indentations were made pre-1939.Plastic thimble of early 20th centuryPale blue plastic thimble, hand painted with pink & white flowersPink & white flowers bakelite thimbles, charles iles

Ivory thimble made in China for European market 1840's. Representative of the style of bone and ivory thimbles made in China for workboxes made for European marketIvory thimbleThree plain bands on lower edge, rounded top heavily dimpled, ivory, thimble

Patented in 1884, these steel lined thimbles made by Charles Horner were a major achievement of 19th century thimble technology, solving the problem of easily holed silver thimbles with the benefits of being able to use a clean non staining thimble (unlike other materials). The steel cored silver thimble revolutionised thimble technology providing a durable, attractive thimble named for Dorcas, a good woman of the Bible who sewed clothes for the poor.Steel cored silver thimble, daisy pattern on top and upper sides. Middle band waffle pattern and lower band plainCH 9 DORCAScharles horner thimble, steel cored silver thimble

Patented in 1884, these steel lined thimbles made by Charles Horner were a major achievement of 19th century thimble technology, solving the problem of easily holed silver thimbles with the benefits of being able to use a clean non staining thimble (unlike other materials). The steel cored silver thimble revolutionised thimble technology providing a durable, attractive thimble named for Dorcas, a good woman of the Bible who sewed clothes for the poor.Steel cored silver thimble, dimpled all over. two recessed lines separate dimples from plain lower band. (Plain pattern)PAT 8 charles horner thimble, steel cored silver thimble

Thimbles have long been used as a shield for the fingertip when hand sewing. In the Victorian period, an ornate silver thimble would be given as an engagement gift. This thimble is part of a thimble collection which was owned by Kallista woman, Beryl Collett (1925-2018) and may have originally belonged to her mother (Hettie Collett nee Thorn) who was a talented milliner and from whom Beryl first learnt her considerable handicraft skills. These thimbles form part of a large and varied range of objects which were either collected by or hand-made by Beryl, and which have been donated to the Museum. This varied thimble collection has been collected during the long lifetime of a local woman who enjoyed needlework and lacemaking.Honeycomb pattern on the side of the thimble and a spiral honeycomb pattern on the top. Plain narrow band around the rim. Silver.On the outside of the band: '6' and (?)'CM' and three (?)hallmarks. The first one is of an animal. beryl collett, hettie collett, thimbles

Thimbles have long been used as a shield for the fingertip when hand sewing. In the Victorian period, an ornate silver thimble would be given as an engagement gift. The thimble collection was owned by Kallista woman, Beryl Collett (1925-2018). Some may have originally belonged to her mother (Hettie Collett nee Thorn) who was a talented milliner and from whom Beryl first learnt her considerable handicraft skills. These thimbles form part of a large and varied range of objects which were either collected by or made by Beryl and which have been donated to the Museum. This varied thimble collection has been collected during the long lifetime of a local woman who enjoyed needlework and lacemaking.Silver thimble with a honeycomb pattern on the side and a raised leaf pattern around the rim. Decorative blue glass top. On the body imprinted: 'STERLING GERMANY 9'. beryl collett, hettie collett, thimbles

Thimbles have long been used as a shield for the fingertip when hand sewing. In the Victorian period, an ornate silver thimble would be given as an engagement gift. This thimble was owned by Kallista woman, Beryl Collett (1925-2018) and may have originally belonged to her mother (Hettie Collett nee Thorn) who was a talented milliner and from whom Beryl first learnt her considerable handicraft skills. These thimbles form part of a large and varied range of objects which were either collected by or hand-made by Beryl and which have been donated to the Museum. This varied thimble collection has been collected during the long lifetime of a local woman who enjoyed needlework and lacemaking.Honeycomb pattern on the side of the thimble and a spiral honeycomb pattern on the top. Plain wide band around the turned-up rim. Brass. No visible markings.beryl collett, hettie collett, thimbles

The thimble was recovered from the wreck of the vessel, Schomberg. The Schomberg was a large three-masted full-ship rigged wooden ship built in 1855 by Alexander Hall and Co in Aberdeen, Scotland for James Baines' famous Black Ball Line at £43,103. The vessel was 288 feet (88 meters) in length, with a beam of 45 feet (14 meters), a depth of 29.5 feet (8.99 meters) of 2,284 tons. The mainmast was 210 feet (64 meters) high and she carried 3.3 acres of sail. The vessel was constructed with three skins. One planked fore and aft, and two diagonally planked, fastened together with screw-threaded trunnels (wooden rails). The Schomberg is one of only three clipper wrecks in Victorian waters that operated the England to Australia run. While the other two, Empress of the Sea and Lightning, were built by the famous American shipbuilder, Donald Mac Kay. Schomberg was an attempt to build a faster ship than Mac Kay and a vessel fast enough to break the sailing record to Australia. The Schomberg sailed on her maiden voyage from Liverpool on 6 October 1855, under the command of Captain James Forbes, on its maiden voyage to Australia with general cargo, jewellery, spirits, machinery, and 2,000 tons of iron rails and equipment intended to build the Melbourne to Geelong Railway and a bridge over the Yarra from Melbourne to Hawthorn. She also carried a cow for fresh milk, pens for fowls and pigs, plus 90,000 gallons of water for washing and drinking. She also carried 17,000 letters and 31,800 newspapers. There were approximately 473 passengers and a crew of 105. It was hoped that Schomberg would make Melbourne in sixty days, setting a record for the voyage, but light winds at the equator dashed those expectations. The ship sighted Moonlight Head in southwest Victoria on Christmas Day but through a deadly combination of wind, currents and unmarked sand spits, the vessel gently ran aground on 26 December 1855 on a spit that juts into Newfield Bay, just east of Curdies Inlet, and the present town of Peterborough. Fortunately, the SS Queen was nearby and managed to save all passengers and crew. The steamers Keera and Maitland were dispatched to salvage the passenger's baggage and the more valuable cargo. Other salvage attempts were made, but deteriorating weather made the work impossible, and within two weeks the Schomberg's hull was broken up and the vessel abandoned. The wrecking of the Schomberg caused quite the public stir particularly in light of the fact the vessel was supposed to be, the most perfect clipper ship ever built. Captain Forbes was charged in the Supreme Court under suspicion that he was playing cards with two female passengers below decks when his ship ran aground. Despite a protest meeting, two inquiries and the court proceedings, he was found not guilty and cleared of all charges. In 1975, divers from Flagstaff Hill, including Peter Ronald, found an ornate communion set at the wreck. The set comprised a jug, two chalices, a plate and a lid. The lid did not fit any of the other objects and in 1978 a piece of the lid broke off, revealing a glint of gold. As museum staff carefully examined the lid and removed marine growth, they found a diamond ring, which is currently on display in the Great Circle Gallery at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime museum that also displays ship fittings and equipment, personal effects. Most of the artefacts were salvaged from the wreck by Peter Ronald, former director of Flagstaff Hill.The Schomberg has historical significance as one of the first luxurious ships built to bring emigrants to Australia to cash in on the gold rush era. And is included on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S612). The collection of Schomberg artefacts held at Flagstaff Hill Museum is primarily significant because of the relationship between these recovered items having a high potential to interpret the story of the Schomberg and its foundering during a storm. The shipwreck is of additional historically significance for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and for its association with the first passenger ship, which was designed not only to be the fastest and most luxurious of its day but foundered on its maiden voyage to Australia. Thimble, metal, some of the dimples are corroded through. flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, schomberg, shipwreck coast. schomberg, 1855, peterborough shipwreck, artefact, thimble, sewing accesdory, sewing equipment, haberdashery, finger protection

Thimbles have long been used as a shield for the fingertip when hand sewing. In the Victorian period, an ornate silver thimble would be given as an engagement gift. This thimble was owned by Kallista woman, Beryl Collett (1925-2018) and may have originally belonged to her mother (Hettie Collett nee Thorn) who was a talented milliner and from whom Beryl first learnt her considerable handicraft skills. These thimbles form part of a large and varied range of objects which were either collected by or hand-made by Beryl and which have been donated to the Museum. This varied thimble collection has been collected during the long lifetime of a local woman who enjoyed needlework and lacemaking.Honeycomb pattern on the side of the thimble and a spiral honeycomb pattern on the raised top. Below the honeycomb pattern are two rows of plain bands with a groove between the bands. Silver. No visible hallmarks.beryl collett, hettie collett, thimbles

Brass ThimblePharmacie De Haussyhandcrafts, equipment

Brown Thimblehandcrafts, equipment, handcrafts, needlework

Pink Thimblehandcrafts, equipment

Hollow wooden cotton reel doing two functions, cotton threads wrapped around the shaft and needles contained within. Part of a small sewing etuiThreads and needles contained in a wooden reel in a compact portable container for 'emergency' sewing repairsBrass thimble within a gilt etuipocket sewing set, thread reel