Elizabeth I sterling silver apostle spoon, London 1589
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1589
This antique apostle spoon, dating to 1589 during the reign of Elizabeth I, is crafted from sterling silver. The spoon features a distinctive fig-shaped bowl and a stem with a hexagonal section.
The terminal is a cast figure, identified as possibly St. Philip holding the three loaves of bread, topped with a holy dove nimbus. Traces of original gilding remain visible on the finial. The reverse of the bowl features mid-17th-century prick-dot engravings with the initials 'WT' over 'AT' and the date '1663'. Measuring 18.2 cm (7.15 inches) in length and weighing 58 grams (1.86 ozt), the spoon bears a full set of London hallmarks, including the town mark located within the bowl.
The maker's mark is a crescent enclosing a pierced mullet, attributed to the workshop of Thomas Benbowe, who succeeded his master Nicholas Bartholomew. This style of spoon reflects the ornate ecclesiastical traditions of the late 16th century in England.
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
- 18.2 cm
- Weight
- 58 grams
- Material
- sterling silver
Technical characteristics
- Marks
- London hallmarks, town mark, maker's mark
Design
- Nimbus
- holy dove
- Terminal
- St Philip with three loaves of bread
- Engraving
- WT over AT and date 1663 on reverse of bowl
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
- Thomas Benbowe
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.