Apostle spoon
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 1638
This parcel-gilt silver spoon terminates in a finial depicting the Apostle Saint Peter holding a large key. It features a fig-shaped bowl joined to a slender, straight stem that leads up to the gilded saintly figure at the terminal. Marks on the object include a conjoined "HP" mark as well as pounced markings.
Dated to circa 1638, the spoon was possibly made in Exeter by Henry Powning, who was active from about 1634. In terms of dimensions, the spoon measures 20 cm in length, 5.4 cm in width, and has a maximum depth of 2.1 cm.
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.
Historical context
Apostle spoons became widely popular from around the 1450s and were produced in standard designs by specialist spoonmakers. While spoons were once a common gift, by the 17th century the practice had largely diminished except as baptismal presents given by godparents. The depicted saint was often chosen to represent a local patron rather than the recipient; Saint Peter, the dedication of Exeter Cathedral in Devon, frequently appears on spoons originating from the West Country.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Parcel-gilt silver
- Dimensions
- Length: 20 cm; Width: 5.4 cm; Depth (maximum): 2.1 cm
Technical characteristics
- Inscriptions
- Date: Text: Research required; Latest: Research required; Earliest: Research required; Note: Research required; Type: Research required; Medium: Research required; Method: Research required; Script: Research required; Content: HPconjoined; Language: Research required; Position: Research required; Inscriber: Name: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Association: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Description: Research required; Translation: Research required; Interpretation: Research required; Transliteration: Research required Date: Text: Research required; Latest: Research required; Earliest: Research required; Note: Research required; Type: Research required; Medium: Research required; Method: Research required; Script: Research required; Content: Pounced; Language: Research required; Position: Research required; Inscriber: Name: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Association: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Description: Research required; Translation: Research required; Interpretation: Research required; Transliteration: Research required
- Maker recorded
- Powning, Henry
- Place recorded
- Exeter
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Victoria and Albert Museum collection record for this single object; how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Museum object name
- Apostle spoon
- Museum object number
- M.242-1940
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.