Rare & Highly Unusual Pair of Antique Anglo-Indian / Colonial Figural Silver Thimbles Featuring Lord Ganesha & a Western Fantasy Fairy — Circa 1890–1920
Up for sale is a genuinely scarce, visually striking matching pair of antique colonial-era figural sewing thimbles.
Intact, thematic pairs from this era are incredibly difficult to find, making this an exceptional addition for serious digitabulists and collectors of unique silver objects of vertu.
The Design & "East-Meets-West" Concept:
This matching set was crafted by the same artisan for the historic "Grand Tour" global souvenir trade. It beautifully captures the whimsical tastes of late Victorian/Edwardian travelers by pairing Eastern spirituality with Western folklore:
Thimble 1: Features intricate, dense hand-repoussé scrollwork on the barrel, beautifully topped with a highly detailed, sculptural miniature of the Hindu deity Lord Ganesha.
Thimble 2: Features a coordinating geometric chevron-stamped barrel, crowned with a slender, sculptural Western fantasy Fairy with detailed wings.
Craftsmanship & Metal Verification:
Authentically Unmarked: These pieces are historically unmarked, which is entirely correct for antique regional silver handcrafted outside of European assay structures during the Raj period.
Hand-Forged Construction: Both thimbles feature the distinct vertical seam running down the interior wall, proving they were hand-rolled from a thin sheet of silver and manually soldered rather than modern machine-stamped.
Tested: The pieces have successfully passed thermal conductivity testing (the ice test), behaving exactly as solid, high-grade silver (typically coin silver or sterling equivalent, approx. .850–.950 fineness).
They are beautifully lightweight, delicate, and feature rich, historic dark oxidation settled deep within the filigree crevices to create stunning visual contrast.
Condition Report:
Excellent antique condition with light, natural historic patina. The metal is crisp, the figures are firmly and securely attached, and there are no needle punctures or holes to the barrels.
Please study the photos carefully to appreciate the phenomenal hand-chased detail.
Shipping & Handling:
Will be packed with extreme care, wrapped individually in protective bubble wrap to ensure the delicate figures are entirely safe during transit. Shipped via Royal Mail Special Delivery (fully tracked, insured, and signed for).