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A Lovely Mid Victorian Novelty 'Tea Caddy' Thimble Holder
Sold by Jeff Sims Antiques
sold SA1088211
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Jeff Sims Antiques

Jeff Sims Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jan 2010
Browse dealers 150 items
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    Antique silver, glass, jewellery and object de vertu.
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Id #SA1088211
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A Lovely Mid Victorian Novelty 'Tea Caddy' Thimble Holder

19th century
Sold 13 March 2025 · Jeff Sims Antiques
This “Lovely Mid Victorian Novelty 'Tea Caddy' Thimble Holder” found a buyer.

It was listed by Jeff Sims Antiques. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

Find more for sale
Antique Thimble HolderCollectible Sewing AntiqueVictorian Thimble Case Ask the dealer for something similar
Description

An exquisite and rare example of Victorian sewing ware. This superb novelty thimble case is formed to represent a tea caddy, with a hinged lid and original plush lined interior. There is a push button release to the front and the octagonal body is decorated in alternate panels of tortoiseshell and bone, with a tortoiseshell lid. Inside there is an unmarked silver thimble. A lovely companion piece to needle cases made in the same style, this is a lovely and unusual collector's piece still usable today. Dimensions below.

Postage & Packing £10.00 UK

£18.00 Europe

£24.00 Outside Europe

Condition :- Excellent with no breaks, holes or splits.

Date :- c1870.

Origin :- English

Height :- 4.2 cms. (highest point)

Depth :- 2.8 cms.

Width :- 2.8 cms.

Date of Manufacture

Jeff Sims Antiques has dated this Antique Novelty Thimble Holder to the 1870s.

Physical Dimensions
Height
5cm (1.97")
Width
3cm (1.18")
Depth
3cm (1.18")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1088211
Dealers Internal Reference
13604
Dealers Notes

Payment by BANK TRANSFER (preferred),DEBIT/CREDIT CARD, or PAYPAL. Great care is taken with packing and only 'signed for or tracked' postal options are used, where available. In the UK, Royal Mail Special Delivery is used, which is both fully insured against loss or damage and guaranteed next day (excluding weekends). If an item goes missing, or is damaged in the post, all available assistance will be offered to make a claim against the provider. Loss or damage in transit, is NOT the responsibility of the seller.

IMPORTANT PLEASE NOTE. Due to the imposition by some countries of an import tariff - an additional charge may be required to prepay tax duty. Please be aware of this if purchasing from overseas. If this additional charge is not acceptable, please do not proceed with the purchase.

Returns are accepted if the item has undisclosed damage at point of sale, or has been seriously mis-described. Buyer pays all costs. If you are not certain that you will be completely happy with the item, please do not purchase it. Care has been taken to ensure that items are accurately described and photographed - if any further information is required please ask.

PLEASE CONTACT ME TO PROVIDE CARD DETAILS OR REQUEST BANK DETAILS. PLEASE ADD POSTAGE FOR PAYPAL AND PRESS PAYPAL OPTION. If there is anything more we can do to help, please ask. We would like your experience with us to be a happy one and will always try to be accommodating.

Thank you for your interest.

Description
An exquisite and rare example of Victorian sewing ware.
“
This superb novelty thimble case is formed to represent a tea caddy, with a hinged lid and original plush lined interior.
Jeff Sims Antiques

There is a push button release to the front and the octagonal body is decorated in alternate panels of tortoiseshell and bone, with a tortoiseshell lid. Inside there is an unmarked silver thimble. A lovely companion piece to needle cases made in the same style, this is a lovely and unusual collector's piece still usable today. Dimensions below.

fig 1. A small octagonal Victorian novelty sewing box designed to resemble a miniature tea caddy, featuring alternating panels of tortoiseshell and bone with a turned bone finial.
fig 1. A Lovely Mid Victorian Novelty 'Tea Caddy' Thimble Holder

Postage & Packing £10.00 UK

£18.00 Europe

£24.00 Outside Europe

Condition :- Excellent with no breaks, holes or splits.

Date :- c1870.

Origin :- English

Height :- 4.2 cms. (highest point)

Depth :- 2.8 cms.

Width :- 2.8 cms.

Date of Manufacture

Jeff Sims Antiques has dated this Antique Novelty Thimble Holder to the 1870s.

Height
5cm (1.97")
Width
3cm (1.18")
Depth
3cm (1.18")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1088211
Dealers Internal Ref
13604
Jeff Sims Antiques
Jeff Sims Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jan 2010

Antique silver, glass, jewellery and object de vertu.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Jeff Sims Antiques Profile Page

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A small octagonal Victorian novelty sewing box designed to resemble a miniature tea caddy, featuring alternating panels of tortoiseshell and bone with a turned bone finial. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 7
Archive I A small octagonal Victorian novelty sewing box designed to resemble a miniature tea caddy, featuring alternating panels of tortoiseshell and bone with a turned bone finial. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

A Lovely Mid Victorian Novelty 'Tea Caddy' Thimble Holder

Archive II A small octagonal Victorian novelty sewing box designed to resemble a miniature tea caddy, featuring alternating panels of tortoiseshell and bone with a turned bone finial. View II
Archive III A small octagonal Victorian novelty sewing box designed to resemble a miniature tea caddy, featuring alternating panels of tortoiseshell and bone with a turned bone finial. View III
Archive IV A small octagonal Victorian novelty sewing box designed to resemble a miniature tea caddy, featuring alternating panels of tortoiseshell and bone with a turned bone finial. View IV
Archive V A small octagonal Victorian novelty sewing box designed to resemble a miniature tea caddy, featuring alternating panels of tortoiseshell and bone with a turned bone finial. View V
Archive VI A small octagonal Victorian novelty sewing box designed to resemble a miniature tea caddy, featuring alternating panels of tortoiseshell and bone with a turned bone finial. View VI
Archive VII A small octagonal Victorian novelty sewing box designed to resemble a miniature tea caddy, featuring alternating panels of tortoiseshell and bone with a turned bone finial. View VII
Enlarged Archival View
Jeff Sims Antiques

Jeff Sims Antiques
Telephone 07711 373 683
Location
Suffolk,
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/jeffsims
Verified Since Jan 2010
Items For Sale 150
Items Sold 4,500
Jeff Sims Antiques
Jeff Sims Antiques
Verified Since Jan 2010
View Dealer Info
Location: Suffolk,, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/jeffsims
Verified
Jan 2010
For Sale
150
Sold
4,500
A small octagonal Victorian novelty sewing box designed to resemble a miniature tea caddy, featuring alternating panels of tortoiseshell and bone with a turned bone finial.
A lovely mid Victorian novelty 'tea caddy' thimble holder
Ref: SA1088211
A small octagonal Victorian novelty sewing box designed to resemble a miniature tea caddy, featuring alternating panels of tortoiseshell and bone with a turned bone finial.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDecorative Boxes
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialTortoiseshell, Bone, Metal
  • ColourAmber and Cream
  • MotifsOctagonal faceted body, Inlaid tortoiseshell and bone panels, Turned bone finial
  • SizeH 5 cm (2 in) x W 3 cm (1 in) x D 3 cm (1 in)

FAQs

Victorian novelty sewing items were imaginative, miniature objects crafted to resemble everyday household items like tea caddies, pieces of furniture, or animals, combining utility with decorative whimsy.

These small items were frequently crafted from natural materials such as tortoiseshell, bone, ivory, mother-of-pearl, and various exotic or local hardwoods.

Authentication relies on examining the patination, tool marks, joinery methods, and the natural ageing of materials like bone and tortoiseshell, which exhibit specific wear patterns over time.

These small collectibles work well displayed inside glass-fronted cabinets, on bookshelves, or styled thoughtfully on a desk to add a layer of historical interest and texture.

Keep them out of direct sunlight to prevent fading and warping, maintain a stable indoor humidity level, and gently dust them with a soft, dry cloth without applying harsh chemical cleaners.
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