Apostle spoon St. Peter, silver-gilt, probably Samuel Cawley, Exeter, dated 1664
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1664
This 17th-century apostle spoon features a finial depicting St. Peter. Crafted from silver and silver-gilt, the spoon measures 19 cm (7 1/2 inches) in length and weighs 53.2 grams (1 oz 14 dwt).
The spoon bowl is marked, and the finial retains traces of original gilding, though it shows wear. The design is characterized by a straight stem and a large, pear-shaped bowl. The spoon includes significant historical inscriptions: it is prick-engraved with the initials 'I.N' over 'H.R' along with the date '1664'. The stem features a later engraving of 'H.S. 1741'. While the maker's mark is only partially legible within the bowl, it is attributed to Samuel Cawley of Exeter.
The object exhibits wear consistent with its age, including a small ding to the base of the bowl and some thinning of the metal in specific areas. This piece serves as a characteristic example of the apostle spoon form popular in English silversmithing during the Stuart period.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Length
- 19 cm / 7.5 in
- Weight
- 53.2 g / 1 oz 14 dwt
- Material
- silver, silver-gilt
Technical characteristics
- Marks
- maker's mark in bowl
Design
- Finial
- St. Peter
- Inscriptions
- I.N over H.R 1664 (prick-engraved), H.S. 1741 (stem)
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
- Maker named in listing
- Samuel Cawley
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.