Description
Marvels of skill, patience, and what’s possible with time on one’s hands, this thimble and fid are carved from whalebone and likely sailor-made. Both are exquisite little objects, but the thimble is especially remarkable for its thin walls and sculptural form, made all the more extraordinary in that it survived practical service for two centuries or more. Fids were necessary tools for sailors to untie knots in the ropework of sailing ships, and it is possible these two pieces were the handmade kit of a sailmaker.
Condition
Aged patina. The thimble has surface cracks and a few tiny chips to the rim, but remains intact without repairs.
Measurements
Thimble
1 inch tall
.75 inch wide
Fid
4 inches long
Shipping
Free in the continental United States. If an international buyer, please contact me for a shipping estimate by clicking here.
