Apostle Spoon
ca. 1638 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This silver spoon bears the figure of the Apostle St Peter. Many spoons of this type were made by West Country spoonmakers. Apostle spoons were highly popular from about the 1450s, when they appear in a range of standard designs available from specialist spoonmakers.
Ownership & Use
The popularity of spoons - the least expensive means of possessing or giving silver - is indicative of the spread of silver to a broader society during Tudor times. A single spoon was an acceptable gift up to the 17th century, when the custom fell out of favour except at christenings; by that time spoons were no longer the main eating tool. Apostle spoons were commonly given as baptismal presents. According to Edward Howes, writing in 1631, it was a Tudor innovation for godfathers and godmothers to give plate 'as spoons, cups and such like' to the child.
Subjects Depicted
The choice of Apostle seems not to be connected to the name of the baptised, but more likely to that of a local saint. St Peter, to whom Exeter Cathedral in Devon is dedicated, frequently graces West Country Apostle spoons of the period, such as this one. In other cases, however, the Apostle is unidentified, with no particular emblem or attribution.
This silver spoon bears the figure of the Apostle St Peter. Many spoons of this type were made by West Country spoonmakers. Apostle spoons were highly popular from about the 1450s, when they appear in a range of standard designs available from specialist spoonmakers.
Ownership & Use
The popularity of spoons - the least expensive means of possessing or giving silver - is indicative of the spread of silver to a broader society during Tudor times. A single spoon was an acceptable gift up to the 17th century, when the custom fell out of favour except at christenings; by that time spoons were no longer the main eating tool. Apostle spoons were commonly given as baptismal presents. According to Edward Howes, writing in 1631, it was a Tudor innovation for godfathers and godmothers to give plate 'as spoons, cups and such like' to the child.
Subjects Depicted
The choice of Apostle seems not to be connected to the name of the baptised, but more likely to that of a local saint. St Peter, to whom Exeter Cathedral in Devon is dedicated, frequently graces West Country Apostle spoons of the period, such as this one. In other cases, however, the Apostle is unidentified, with no particular emblem or attribution.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Parcel-gilt silver |
| Brief description | Apostle spoon with figure of St Peter |
| Physical description | Spoon, Apostle-St. Peter |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Gallery label | British Galleries:
TWO APOSTLE SPOONS These are called 'apostle spoons' because they have the figure of an apostle on the end of the handle. On one spoon is the figure of St Peter who holds a large key, on the other is St James. Godparents traditionally gave spoons to their godchildren as christening presents.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by Arthur Hurst |
| Object history | Possibly made in Exeter, Devon by Henry Powning (active from about 1634) |
| Summary | Object Type This silver spoon bears the figure of the Apostle St Peter. Many spoons of this type were made by West Country spoonmakers. Apostle spoons were highly popular from about the 1450s, when they appear in a range of standard designs available from specialist spoonmakers. Ownership & Use The popularity of spoons - the least expensive means of possessing or giving silver - is indicative of the spread of silver to a broader society during Tudor times. A single spoon was an acceptable gift up to the 17th century, when the custom fell out of favour except at christenings; by that time spoons were no longer the main eating tool. Apostle spoons were commonly given as baptismal presents. According to Edward Howes, writing in 1631, it was a Tudor innovation for godfathers and godmothers to give plate 'as spoons, cups and such like' to the child. Subjects Depicted The choice of Apostle seems not to be connected to the name of the baptised, but more likely to that of a local saint. St Peter, to whom Exeter Cathedral in Devon is dedicated, frequently graces West Country Apostle spoons of the period, such as this one. In other cases, however, the Apostle is unidentified, with no particular emblem or attribution. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.242-1940 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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