A post-medieval silver thimble was discovered by Robert Edwards while metal detecting in Pembrokeshire, a county in south-west Wales.
An ancient silver thimble discovered in the Carew community in Pembrokeshire, Wales.Image credit: Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum of Wales
“I was searching behind an oak tree and had no success until I changed the program and found a very clear signal,” Edwards said.
“At first I thought it was a sixpence, but to my surprise it was not a coin, but a silver piece!”
“When I later saw a similar waffle pattern on another thimble, I knew I had found something special.”
“To be honest, my cousin who is also my detection partner was a little jealous!”
“I like to think about who used it,” he added.
“Was it used in the castle we saw on the way?” Did someone get into trouble by losing it? I'm so happy to be able to share it with you all. ”
According to experts, Amgefa Cymru – Museum of Walesthe ancient thimble is tall and narrow, but heavy.
This artifact is a two-piece construction with a rounded top soldered to the main body.
Six horizontal bands are placed in a zigzag pattern around the body and overlaid on an incised brick or basket weave pattern.
“'' is engraved at the base of the band.I still love you like' Roman capital in serif font.
The researchers said: “Posey's inscription appears on several 17th-century silver thimbles found across England and Wales.”
“The Cardiff, Kent and Hampshire examples were all reported through the Treasure Act 1996.”
“Such romantic passages are very similar to those found on modern posey rings,” they added.
“Perhaps a thimble, worn on one's finger while sewing, was considered an intimate (and therefore romantic) possession, suitable as a gift between lovers.”
Source: www.sci.news
