History

Thimbles celebrating Dutch Royalty.

denron
2 May 2026

A thimble was a standard item in the sewing box of yesteryear.

The thimble was used during sewing or embroidery to protect the fingertips. They have existed for hundreds of years; the oldest copper thimble found in England dates back to the 14th century. In Germany, Nuremberg was the center for thimble production. In 1700 a Dutchman began production of thimbles by machine in London.

Thimbles are made of various materials such as silver, gold, metal and porcelain.

Sewing machines became increasingly common from the beginning of the 20th century thus the thimble fell into disuse.

Nowadays, the thimble is primarily a collector’s item, and many commemorative thimbles have been made featuring images of, among others, cities, flags, etc., but also of members of the Royal Family. For example, a silver thimble was made in 1901 by the French firm Alfred Féau on the occasion of the marriage of Queen Wilhelmina to Prince Hendrik. The design is by J. Vernon. The top is ribbed, and on the bottom rim we see the Royal Coat of Arms and scenes from the Queen’s life. For instance, she is depicted as a young girl with a doll, as a young woman embroidering, and as a Queen wearing a crown. The original thimble was also made of gold and was presented to the Queen as a gift in a special holder. This is kept in the Royal House archives. This thimble is known as “the crown”. The silver one is marked with the head of a boar, the French silver mark.

In the 1970s, the thimble was reissued, but with a smooth top (see photo).

An article appeared in an American newspaper the Brooklyn Daily in 1901 stating that ex president of the Republic of South Africa Paul Kruger had given Queen Wilhelmina a gold thimble as a wedding gift .

According to this article The Queen was very skilled in embroidery. Research in the Royal House archives in the 1970s revealed that this story was incorrect and that Kruger had given her a silver inkwell.