James I Sterling Silver Apostle Spoon, St. Matthew, London, 1616-1617
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1616-1617
This James I era Apostle spoon, hallmarked in London in 1616-1617, is crafted from sterling silver and depicts the apostle St. Matthew as the terminal finial. Apostle spoons, a traditional form of domestic silver tableware dating back to the late Middle Ages, were often given as christening gifts.
This specific example is attributed to the silversmith William Lovejoy, identified by the distinctive maker’s mark of a mullet (heraldic star) enclosed by a crescent within a scalloped shield. The spoon features a classic fig-shaped bowl and a stem leading to the cast and gilded or chased figure of the saint holding his identifying attribute. The piece measures 7-3/8 inches in length and 2 inches in width, with a weight of 1.97 troy ounces.
The history of the maker's mark on this spoon is linked to the Woolsack workshop in Cheapside, which was associated with a succession of specialist London spoonmakers throughout the late 16th and early 17th centuries, including the Brue, Cawdell, and Lovejoy families.
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
- Width
- 2"
- Length
- 7-3/8"
- Weight
- 1.97 t. oz.
- Material
- sterling silver
Technical characteristics
- Hallmark
- London, 1616-1617
Design
- Terminal
- St. Matthew
- Maker mark
- mullet enclosed by a crescent within a scalloped shield
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
- William 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.