A Post Medieval silver thimble was found by Robert Edwards while metal detecting in Pembrokeshire, a county in the south-west of Wales.
The ancient silver thimble found in Carew Community, Pembrokeshire, Wales. Image credit: Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales
“I was out detecting under the shade of an oak tree and was having no luck, until I changed the program and found a great crisp signal,” Edwards said.
“At first I thought it may be a sixpence, but to my surprise it was something silver — and not a coin!”
“It wasn’t until later when I saw the similar waffle pattern on another thimble that I knew I had found something special.”
“To be honest, my cousin, who is also my detecting partner, was a little jealous!”
“I like to think about who used it,” he added.
“Was it used in the castle I could see over the way? Did someone get in trouble when it was lost? I’m very happy that I’ve been able to share it with the rest of you.”
According to experts from Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales, the ancient thimble is tall, narrow but heavy.
The artifact has a two piece construction, with the rounded top soldered to the main body.
Six transverse bands are set in a zig-zag pattern around the body, layered over an incised brickwork or basket-weave pattern.
Engraving in the band at the base reads ‘LYKE STIL AND LOVE EVER’ in serifed Roman capitals.
“Posy inscriptions can be seen on several 17th century silver thimbles from across England and Wales,” the researchers said.
“Examples from Cardiff, Kent, and Hampshire have all been reported through the Treasure Act 1996.”
“Romantic passages such as this are very similar to those seen on contemporary posy rings,” they added.
“Perhaps thimbles, worn on the finger during needlework, were considered an intimate (and therefore romantic) possession, suitable as a gift between lovers.”
Source : Breaking Science News