James I sterling silver apostle spoon, London 1606, by Daniel Cary
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1606
This James I period sterling silver apostle spoon dates to 1606 and was crafted in London by the noted silversmith Daniel Cary. The spoon features a distinctive fig-shaped bowl connected to a hexagonal section stem.
The terminal is finished with a cast apostle figure, identified as potentially St. Philip holding three loaves of bread, topped with a later-applied nimbus. The spoon is fully hallmarked on the back of the bowl, near the junction with the stem. Measuring approximately 17.8 centimeters (8 inches) in length and weighing 44 grams (1.41 troy ounces), the object is a representative example of early 17th-century English silversmithing.
Apostle spoons of this era typically served both functional and decorative purposes, often reflecting the religious traditions of the period. This specific piece demonstrates the craftsmanship associated with Daniel Cary, a prolific maker of the time who was apprenticed to Patrick Brew and maintained an active workshop in London throughout the early 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
- 17.8 cm / 8 inches
- Weight
- 44 grams / 1.41 ozt
- Material
- sterling silver
Technical characteristics
- Marks
- fully marked between bowl and stem
Design
- Bowl
- fig shaped
- Stem
- hexagonal section
- Terminal
- cast apostle, possibly St Philip with three loaves of bread, with later nimbus
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
- Daniel Cary
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.