APOSTLE SPOON

A type of spoon that has, as the finial (top figure attached to spoon handle), each Apostle was depicted with his asset, eg. cross, bag of money, sword, etc. The bowls were hammered into shape with very limited tools of the times, and then the stem was forged on to the bowl in blacksmith's fires; molds were used to cast the Apostle forms and then afterwards they were soldered on to the stem. The hallmark was punched inside the bowl using delicate silversmith tools. The true spoons date from the 16th century. The figures of favourite saints were given as christening gifts and are considered, very rare. Not many were made which makes these spoons sought after and valued indeed.

The gift of the Apostle spoon was used in the Pre-Reformation times, when belief in the services of the patron saint was strong. The favourite, or family saint, was often later joined by other apostles as the series grew. Complete sets of spoons having the same maker and date are very rare and highly valued. Apostle spoons have been reproduced in great numbers, including some made of pewter or latten, as well as inexpensive reproductions which often show the figure without a nimbus or an attribute. Only the true Apostle Collection is highly valued as the ultimate collection in Souvenier Spoons.

Any of the Apostle spoons can be known by the attribute mentioned in the following list:

1 the Master: cross and orb

2 St. Peter: a sword or a key

3 St. Andrew: a cross

4 St. St. James the Greeter: a pilgrim's staff

5 St. John: the cup od sorrow

6 St. Phillip; a staff

7 St. Bartholomew: a knife

8 St. Thomas: a spar

9 St. Matthew: an axe or halbert

10 St. James the Less: a fuller's bat

11 St. Jude: a square

12 St. Simon Zelotes: a long saw

13 St. Judas: a bag of money