Apostle spoons

Silver spoons with the top of the handle surmounted by a small statuette of an apostle. Apostle spoons were intended for personal use at table and were highly popular in England ca. 1490-1675; they were also made on the Continent, especially in Germany. Sometimes apostle spoons were made as sets of thirteen, a dozen featuring the apostles and another topped with a figure of Jesus Christ, a so-called master spoon. Spoons featuring small statuettes of saints have also been called apostle spoons. In the 16th and 17th centuries apostle spoons were seemingly popular as christening presents. Silver-plated versions were made in the 20th century for use as demitasse spoons.