Spoon
1635 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This silver spoon bears the figure of Christ's Apostle St James the Less on the knop or finial (the decorative end of the handle). 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, as 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. The choice of Apostle was often connected to the name of the baptised, but it could also correspond 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. In other cases however, the Apostle appears generic, with no particular emblem or attribute.
Design
This spoon follows the normal lines of construction. The bowls and stems are raised in one piece from a spade-shaped blank. The finial is cast. If the Apostles have emblems, these are either part of the casting or soldered on.
This silver spoon bears the figure of Christ's Apostle St James the Less on the knop or finial (the decorative end of the handle). 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, as 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. The choice of Apostle was often connected to the name of the baptised, but it could also correspond 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. In other cases however, the Apostle appears generic, with no particular emblem or attribute.
Design
This spoon follows the normal lines of construction. The bowls and stems are raised in one piece from a spade-shaped blank. The finial is cast. If the Apostles have emblems, these are either part of the casting or soldered on.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Parcel-gilt silver |
| Brief description | Apostle spoon with figure of St James |
| Physical description | Spoon, Apostle-St. James the Less |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Inscribed on the back of the bowl with the initials 'TA' and the date '1635'
Hallmarked for 1635 |
| 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 Harold Short |
| Object history | Made in Taunton, Somerset, possibly by Robert Wade II (active from 1633) |
| Summary | Object Type This silver spoon bears the figure of Christ's Apostle St James the Less on the knop or finial (the decorative end of the handle). 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, as 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. The choice of Apostle was often connected to the name of the baptised, but it could also correspond 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. In other cases however, the Apostle appears generic, with no particular emblem or attribute. Design This spoon follows the normal lines of construction. The bowls and stems are raised in one piece from a spade-shaped blank. The finial is cast. If the Apostles have emblems, these are either part of the casting or soldered on. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.85-1959 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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