Photo Credit: RomanJewelsGold
Superb Antique Victorian 18 Karat Gold Thimble
Buy It Now Price: $798 (price as of 2017; item no longer available)
Pros:
-This superb antique 18 karat gold thimble perfectly reflects the ornate, upper-class Victorian sensibilities of the Gilded Age. It was made in America sometime in the late 19th century. This attribution is supported by the “18K” hallmark, which indicates an American origin. The domed shape of the top of the thimble, when coupled with its florid Victorian decoration, strongly suggests a late 19th century date.
-This Victorian 18 karat gold thimble is 22 mm (0.875 inches) tall by 15 mm (0.59 inches) in diameter and weighs a considerable 9.2 grams (0.2958 troy ounces). It is marked as a size 8 on the interior of the thimble and also engraved with the monogram “D.F.” in the same location.
-This 18 karat gold thimble is among the heaviest examples that I have seen – a sure indicator of its high quality construction. The typical weight range for antique, solid gold thimbles is anywhere from 3 to 8 grams. This thimble, in contrast, weighs in at 9.2 grams and contains over 0.22 troy ounces of pure gold – about the same as an old British gold sovereign or a pre-1933 U.S. half eagle ($5) gold coin!
-Sewing was a required skill for practically all middle and upper class women in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Unlike today when clothing is often discarded as it becomes damaged or outdated, clothing was regularly mended, altered or otherwise modified in households before World War II.
-This antique 18 karat gold thimble is in almost perfect condition, with no visible wear. It would appear that this item was so highly valued by its owners that it was considered “too good” to use. If you are interested in buying this gold thimble, I would also strongly suggest that you also refrain from using it in order to keep it pristine!
-There are a considerable number of high-end 18th and 19th century sewing kits made from ivory, gold, tortoiseshell, silver or other luxury materials available in the antique marketplace. These are often referred to as “etui” in the collecting community, a word derived from the French which means a small box or case containing sewing implements, cosmetics or other personal items. Gold thimbles are simply a subset of these fascinating, antique sewing accoutrements.
Cons:
-The asking price of almost $800 is extremely expensive for an antique 18 karat gold thimble. Most solid gold thimbles have prices ranging from about $100 to perhaps $400. However, the quality of this particular 18 karat gold thimble is so superlative that I would strongly consider paying the premium price. This is a classic example of investing in a high end antique by buying the best of the best.
-This 18 karat gold thimble does not appear to have a maker’s mark – either that, or the seller did not take a photo of the mark. If it does have an intact maker’s mark, it would be on the inside of the top of the thimble. Although this antique gold thimble is already extremely desirable, if its maker could be identified it would be even more desirable.
