Apostle spoons
Old-fashioned silver spoons, the handles of which end in figures of the Apostles. They were the usual present of sponsors at baptisms.
| [1531 Rec. St. Mary at Hill (1905) 47 Item, xiij spons with the postells.] 1614 B. Jonson Barth. Fair i. iii, Two Apostle spoons..and a cup to eate a cawdle in. 1630 Middleton Chaste Maid iii. ii, Two great 'postle spoons. 1796 Pegge Anonym. (1809) 182 The Apostle-spoons..very common in the last century, but are seldom seen now. The set consists of a dozen, and each had the figure of an Apostle, with his proper ensign, at the top. 1857 Ruskin Pol. Econ. Art 59 The old plate except a few apostle spoons..is sent to be melted down. |