Apostle spoon
A silver spoon with a little apostle on the end of the stem, the commonest christening gift in Tudor England.
The spoons were given at christenings, sometimes as a full set of twelve apostles and Christ. The expression ‘born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth’ may come from here. Examples are in the Victoria and Albert Museum and the British Museum.
Materials: Silver, often partly gilt
Manufacture: Bowl and stem were forged; the apostle figure cast separately and soldered on.
The apostle figure with his emblem, such as Peter’s key or Andrew’s cross.
The hallmarks in the bowl: the leopard’s head and the date letter.