17th-Century Silver Apostle Spoons
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These 17th-century Dutch silver Apostle spoons are one of only six complete sets known to exist
Key Features
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- An amazingly rare and complete set of 13-17th-century Dutch silver Apostle spoons
- There are only six complete sets of early Apostle spoons known to exist today
- This particular set was crafted by various Groningen silversmiths from the Netherlands
- Figures of the 12 Apostles and Christ top these spoons
- Apostle spoons were often given one at a time as baptismal gifts
- Only the wealthiest families could afford a complete set such as this
- Hallmarked Groningen, 1637 through 1664; 6 3/4" to 7 1/4" length
Item Details
- Period:
Pre-18th Century - Origin:
Continental
This is one of only six complete sets of 16th/17th-century silver Apostle spoons, portraying all twelve Apostles, that we know to exist. Of these six known sets, it is one of only two comprised of, not twelve, but thirteen spoons. Each of the spoons in this set bears a finial of one of the twelve Apostles, and the thirteenth spoon is crowned by the figure of Christ. Featuring deep, fig-shaped bowls with original hand-hammer marks, these spoons were not typically commissioned as complete sets. Of the other known sets, four are in permanent museum collections. The other original set of thirteen is housed in the famed British Museum in London.
Apostle spoons first appeared during the 16th century, and were traditionally given individually as baptismal gifts from godparents in very wealthy families (thus, the saying, "Born with a silver spoon in the mouth"). One's spoon was often adorned with a figure of one's patron saint, and typically kept for life. Because these spoons were gifted singularly and there was no need for more than one, sets of Apostle spoons with all twelve Apostles are exceptionally rare. This set features spoons crafted by the silversmiths of Groningen, the capital of the Netherlands
Hallmarked Groningen, circa 1650
6 3/4" to 7 1/4" length
Apostle spoons first appeared during the 16th century, and were traditionally given individually as baptismal gifts from godparents in very wealthy families (thus, the saying, "Born with a silver spoon in the mouth"). One's spoon was often adorned with a figure of one's patron saint, and typically kept for life. Because these spoons were gifted singularly and there was no need for more than one, sets of Apostle spoons with all twelve Apostles are exceptionally rare. This set features spoons crafted by the silversmiths of Groningen, the capital of the Netherlands
Hallmarked Groningen, circa 1650
6 3/4" to 7 1/4" length
