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17th-Century Silver Apostle Spoon
- This exceptionally rare apostle spoon dates to the early 17th century
- These were often bespoke baptismal gifts, inspiring the saying "born with a silver spoon"
- This spoon is crowned by St. James the Greater, identified by his pilgrim staff
- Similar apostle spoons from the period are held in major institutions such as the British Museum
- Get complete item description here
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Hallmarked London, 1620
This exceptionally rare apostle spoon dates to the early 17th century, a remarkable treasure emblematic of a bygone tradition. First appearing during the 16th century, these spoons were given as baptismal gifts from godparents in very wealthy families, inspiring the time-honored saying, "Born with a silver spoon in the mouth."
A child's given spoon was typically adorned with the figure of their patron saint, a bespoke gift that. . .
Hallmarked London, 1620
This exceptionally rare apostle spoon dates to the early 17th century, a remarkable treasure emblematic of a bygone tradition. First appearing during the 16th century, these spoons were given as baptismal gifts from godparents in very wealthy families, inspiring the time-honored saying, "Born with a silver spoon in the mouth."
A child's given spoon was typically adorned with the figure of their patron saint, a bespoke gift that would have been cherished for life. This spoon is crowned by Saint James the Greater, identified by his pilgrim staff and halo overhead. Featuring a deep, fig-shaped bowl, the spoon's design is elegantly refined and features period hallmarks. Similar apostle spoons from this period are held in prestigious museum collections, including the famed British Museum in London. This remarkable James I-era apostle spoon was part of the iconic Red McCombs collection, which has been highly publicized and studied.
7 3/8" length x 2" width
Provenance:
M.S. Rau, New Orleans
Red McCombs Collection, Texas
M.S. Rau, New Orleans

| Period: | 17th Century |
| Origin: | England |
| Type: | Other |
| Depth: | 7.38 in. (18.73 cm) |
| Width: | 2.0 in. (5.08 cm) |
| Height: | 0.63 in. (1.59 cm) |
A History of Flatware
Read MoreBuy With Confidence
For over a century, we've placed important art, rare jewels and exceptional objects with more than 14,000 collectors worldwide, and have been recognized by trusted publications including Robb Report, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and more.

On Approval
Examine select works in person before you commit

125% Guarantee
Full credit plus 5% annual appreciation for five years

Trusted Expertise
Over two centuries of combined experience across our specialists