Wessex Apostle Spoon, c.1653

This is a wonderful Commonwealth period silver apostle spoon that benefits from being in fine condition. The plain dot-pricked gilt nimbus and the six petalled flower mark to the bowl suggest a southern England origin, the former with betrothal initials providing an accurate date of manufacture to the early 1650's. The cast terminal is well detailed with the apostle holding a cup of wine and loaf of bread. The spoon has a good weight and is in fabulous condition with a good unworn fig-shaped bowl and nice patina throughout. The mark can be seen on page 525 of Jacksons (Pickford edition) where it had been observed on an apostle spoon. A very pleasing mid-17th century spoon.