James I sterling silver apostle spoon, London 1610
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1610
This James I sterling silver apostle spoon dates to 1610 and is a fine example of 17th-century English metalwork. The spoon features a distinctive fig-shaped bowl joined to a hexagonal section stem, culminating in a cast terminal depicting St.
James the Greater, complete with a holy dove nimbus. The interior of the bowl is gilded, with further traces of gilding present on the reverse of the bowl and the stem. The piece measures 17.8 centimeters in length and weighs 67 grams. The spoon is fully marked, including the town mark positioned within the bowl. Scholars have noted a maker's mark consisting of two clubs in saltire, which has been associated with the silversmith John Lovejoy, possibly functioning as a rebus representing the name John-love-Joy.
This specific mark has been documented on various spoons and seal tops produced in London between 1605 and 1612.
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
- Weight
- 67 grams
- Material
- sterling silver
Technical characteristics
- Marks
- fully marked, town mark in bowl
Design
- Surface
- gilding to bowl interior, traces to reverse and stem
- Terminal
- St James the Greater with holy dove nimbus
- Bowl shape
- fig-shaped
- Stem shape
- hexagonal section
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
- John Lovejoy
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.