Apostle spoons
I make a pot of tea two or three times a day. I use Twinings Assam loose tea, or occasionally Earl Grey if my son-in-law is visiting (the writer, not the plumber) and spoon the leaves into the pot with a little spoon that came from my parents’ home, long before they died. The spoon is an Apostle spoon, of no great value other than sentiment. I don’t know if my parents had a set, or whether they just had one, perhaps as a christening gift for someone in the family.
Similar spoons had their origin in 15th century Europe and were used at table, often being produced in sets of thirteen, and representing Christ’s Last Supper in company with his twelve disciples. It is rare now to find a complete set, though they were popular and produced in large numbers in England and Germany.
During the 16th century they were popular gifts from godparents to their godchildren, but the tradition had declined by the middle of the 20th century. They were also sometimes given as wedding presents, to bless the couple with good fortune.
The earliest spoons were made from silver, with a representation of an apostle at the top or finial of the handle. Apostles could be identified by the objects they carried, known as attributes. Saint Peter was shown with a key or sword, or sometimes a fish. Judas was depicted holding a bag of money, and Saint Andrew held a cross. The Master, or Christ, carried a cross and orb. The British Museum in London has an irreplaceable set of thirteen, in which the thirteenth character is shown as the Virgin Mary.
In later years, many spoons were created in base metal, like nickel silver, with a thin layer of silver electroplated onto it. Nickel silver is a mixture of nickel, zinc, and copper.
My little spoon has EPNS (Electro Plated Nickel Silver) stamped on the reverse. It’s difficult to be sure, but I think the apostle is intended to be Saint John the Evangelist. It looks as if he is carrying a chalice, the cup of sorrow foretold by Christ.
It is not valuable, but I would be very sorry to lose it. All the while it rests in the tea caddy there’s little chance of that!
My mom had a set of six apostle spoons, I think a silver wedding gift. But she had a different, bigger, spoon for tea, with a handle that curved back in a loop, and fitted into the tea caddy. I still remember the smell of the tea when she opened the caddy.
ReplyDeleteI love the smell of tea leaves.
DeleteWhat a fascinating piece of history! It's amazing how something as simple as a spoon can carry so much tradition and sentiment. The story behind Apostle spoons is truly intriguing.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could know its history, how it came to be in my parents' possession, but I never will.
DeleteIt's funny how we can become attached to particular spoons. I think it is an age thing. Did St Andrew carry a cross because he was always cross? He should have chilled out. No wonder he became the patron saint of Scotland.
ReplyDeleteThe sentimental associations make such objects precious.
DeleteThis is so very interesting. I haven't ever seen anything like it.
ReplyDeleteI suppose most families have special mementoes, unique to them.
DeleteI find those things like your spoon beyond valuable, both in sentiment and family history.
ReplyDeleteThey are the little pieces that make up the whole.
DeleteI have never heard of Apostle spoons, though I did know about silver gifts for a Christening.
ReplyDeleteI guess they're part of history, now.
DeleteNow I know what they are.
ReplyDelete😀
DeleteI imagine that families in previous centuries used spoons at the table more than individual forks. And children in particular would have preferred spoons, so giving spoons as baptismal gifts made perfect gifts.
ReplyDeleteThus the saying "born with a silver spoon in his/her mouth", do you think?
There is some truth in that and you have given me an idea, which I'll flog to death in another blog post!
DeleteI remember the apostle teaspoons. In my childhood they were around.
ReplyDeleteWe had a 12 apostle teaspoon, but that was a travel teaspoon about rocks in the sea off our coast.
I think I would like you to make me a cup of tea. I like your tea choices and I am sure the tea will be correctly made and served. Just a drop of milk, thanks, after the tea is poured, of course.
I'm a champion tea maker, though I only drink tea once or twice a year. I don't think I had any tea last year!
DeleteDon't admit to this or you may lose your Brit card!
DeleteI switched to loose tea some time ago. Having tea in a pot makes it more of an occasion. Taking such a clear closeup of the apostle is such a great idea.
ReplyDeleteI love the smell of tea leaves and I'm sure they make a better brew.
DeleteI used up 6 bags of twinning chamomile tea every day.
ReplyDeleteChamomile tea is meant to be very calming.
DeleteHow interesting. I didn’t know about Apostle spoons, coming from a heathen family background.
ReplyDeleteI would make tea in a pot with loose tea but P doesn't like the "unnecessary faff" so we use teabags. (He is usually the tea boy in our house).
If someone else is making the tea, let them get on with it! 🙄
DeleteI only drink coffee made in a filter pot, my plastic scoop is neither pretty or has an interesting back story, maybe I should take up drinking tea again. I have a few items of my mum's which I cherish as I use them.
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DeleteIt's little things that hold memories and it's good to use them.
I know of Apostle spoons. I believe they were often Christening gifts.
ReplyDeleteThey were.
DeleteI have not seen or heard of these spoons, but can see it is just the right size to use with your tea. it is also a fond memory from your past. my husband often and I do mean OFTEN repeats the story of his mothers presidents spoons. one for each president of the USA. the story is what he repeats that his mother gave the spoons to one of his 3 sisters and 1 brother...
ReplyDelete. . . and poor Bob missed out? What a shame.
DeleteThe spoon holds Beauty in more ways than one. I don't blame you for not ever wanting to lose it and I hope you don't. It probably makes having a cup of tea just a little bit more enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteI'm the only one who ever sees it, usually.
DeleteIt is lovely, both for what it is and for what it means to you. What a treasure. xx
ReplyDeleteIt is, thank you.
DeleteA lovely treasure
ReplyDeleteThank you.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of apostle spoons, but it's an interesting concept.
ReplyDelete😊
DeleteApostle spoons. Another new-to-me item - I've learned much from your blog. These sentimental items have so much worth, regardless of if they have monetary value.
ReplyDeleteI expect each family has its own treasures.
DeleteI have a number of similar types of artifact that have come to me over the years. Even though in several cases I don't really understand their significance, I treasure them. I expect that someday my daughters will be equally mystified!
ReplyDeleteI expect they will treasure them, nonetheless.
DeleteInteresting spoon. I like Earl Grey too.
ReplyDeleteI like Earl Grey with a slice of lemon.
DeleteWhat a lovely thing to have, even if its value is "only" sentimental. I'd never heard of apostle spoons so thank you for sharing their history. xxx
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DeleteWhen I was a child, we always used apostle spoons to eat out boiled eggs, as they were smaller to be able to scoop out the runny yolk. I am sure my Dad still has the spoons in his cutlery drawer. I shall look next time I am with him. He is 95 and he may remember where they originated from. Maybe a wedding present.
ReplyDeleteThey would be ideal for boiled eggs.
DeleteSuch a very special spoon for you.
ReplyDeleteI think it's lovely that it is still in your family and in daily use, it must make your cups of tea extra special.
All the best Jan
It is special to use it every day.
DeleteThat's interesting about apostle spoons. I suppose it was a little bit of silver stashed against hard times, but something to polish and bring out to show company if there were visitors.
ReplyDeleteHaving a spoon that is like having a hug of memories every time you use it must be a blessing. That makes it priceless.
I like the thought of a 'hug of memories' - what a lovely expression.
DeleteEarl Grey is my tea of choice although I use a tea bag. I love your spoon and understand the sentiment. Enjoy it
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteI had heard of but never seen an apostle spoon. It's wonderful. I've never cared much for tea or coffee. I remember chattering on to a visiting friend about not liking tea and, of course, it turned out that she had brought me a lovely birthday gift of a special lavender tea. I felt so terrible.
ReplyDeleteSometimes herbal or floral teas are quite refreshing. Did you try the lavender tea? I'm sure your friend understood.
ReplyDeleteI used to drink fruit teas all the time when I was working. Now, I drink hot water with lemon or lime.
I vaguely remember those. I think my gran had some.
ReplyDeleteI've no idea of the provenance of this one.
DeleteYour post bought back some childhood memories. I had a hunt around and found an old box belonging to my grandma which contained 6 Apostle spoons and a sugar tong as well.
ReplyDeleteOh, I remember sugar tongs - and sugar lumps.
DeleteMy comment was lost. I had never heard of Apostle spoons so I wandered off to read about them. Much to my surprise, most often, I found them sold in sets of six with sugar tongs. I guess I would have expected a set of 12 to be the norm. Just one of those curious things.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting, and reinforces what Beverley, from Back2OurSmallCorner said, above.
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