Apostle Spoon
1514-1515 (made)
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Spoons depicting the 12 apostles (messengers of Christ) were popular throughout the 16th century. Individual apostle spoons were sometimes given as Christening gifts but intended for use. Groups depicting all 12 apostles were more likely to be owned by wealthier members of society (noblemen were more likely to have several dozen spoons in various shapes; a tradesman would have about six to 12). Few complete sets have survived. During the Reformation many religious images were destroyed, and silver was melted down and re-used.
St John the Evangelist, the figure on the finial of this spoon, was one of four who described the life of Jesus in the gospels (with Matthew, Mark and Luke). By the 13th century, it was common to depict St John holding a chalice with a serpent or dragon rising from it. Many believe this refers to an incident where John was handed a cup of poisoned wine, which he blessed, and the poison rose out of the cup in the shape of a serpent. On this spoon, St John’s hand is raised in a blessing and he holds a cup out of which a creature emerges.
St John the Evangelist, the figure on the finial of this spoon, was one of four who described the life of Jesus in the gospels (with Matthew, Mark and Luke). By the 13th century, it was common to depict St John holding a chalice with a serpent or dragon rising from it. Many believe this refers to an incident where John was handed a cup of poisoned wine, which he blessed, and the poison rose out of the cup in the shape of a serpent. On this spoon, St John’s hand is raised in a blessing and he holds a cup out of which a creature emerges.
Object details
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| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver, with gilt finial |
| Brief description | Apostle spoon depicting St. John, silver with gilt finial, London, 1514-15 |
| Physical description | Apostle spoon depicting St. John with deep fig-shaped bowl inscribed on the back with the initials IG, and a thick, tapering stem ending with a moulded capital, on which the figure stands. The figure holds a chalice with the left hand, out of which rises a creature, and gives the benediction with the right. The nimbus is engraved with rays. The bowl and stem were hammered, the 'knop' or finial, cast. The finial was then soldered to the stem, and attached using a 'V' shaped joint, characteristic of London spoonmakers of this period. |
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| Object history | Purchase - £400 with M.65-71-1921 H.D. Ellis, 7 Roland Gardens Acquisition RF: 21 / 1199 The London mark is struck inside the bowl near to the stem, whilst the date letter and the sponsor's mark are on the reverse on the stem. This arrangement is typical of the period. |
| Historical context | Spoons depicting the twelve apostles (messengers of Christ) were popular throughout the sixteenth century. Individual apostle spoons were sometimes given as Christening gifts but intended for use. Groups depicting all twelve apostles were more likely to be owned by wealthier members of society (noblemen were more likely to have several dozen spoons in various shapes, a tradesman would have aboutsix to twelve ). Few complete sets have survived. During the Reformation many religious images were destroyed, and silver was melted down and re-used. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Spoons depicting the 12 apostles (messengers of Christ) were popular throughout the 16th century. Individual apostle spoons were sometimes given as Christening gifts but intended for use. Groups depicting all 12 apostles were more likely to be owned by wealthier members of society (noblemen were more likely to have several dozen spoons in various shapes; a tradesman would have about six to 12). Few complete sets have survived. During the Reformation many religious images were destroyed, and silver was melted down and re-used. St John the Evangelist, the figure on the finial of this spoon, was one of four who described the life of Jesus in the gospels (with Matthew, Mark and Luke). By the 13th century, it was common to depict St John holding a chalice with a serpent or dragon rising from it. Many believe this refers to an incident where John was handed a cup of poisoned wine, which he blessed, and the poison rose out of the cup in the shape of a serpent. On this spoon, St John’s hand is raised in a blessing and he holds a cup out of which a creature emerges. |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.71-1921 |
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| Record created | September 10, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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