Charles I Silver Apostle Spoon, 1641 St Simon

This is an excellent example of a Charles I period silver apostle spoon in fine condition.

The gilt apostle terminal depicts St. Simon of Zelotes with a saw in his left hand - this was the weapon used in his martydom. His nimbus features the sacred dove as it rises to heaven. The back of the bowl is prick-dot engraved with an original set of betrothal initals that are conveniently dated to 1642 and so tie in with the age of the spoon.

The hexagonal stem is clearly struck with three hallmarks - lion passant representing Sterling standard, the date letter for 1641 and the maker's mark "TP" in a shaped punch - a very similar mark for an unknown spoonmaker is shown in Jacksons (Pickford edition) on page 117 as the 13th entry. The fig-shaped nowl is punched with the leopard's head crowned mark representing London.

This 380-year old remains in excellent condition with a good, thick rim to the bowl and the cast finial retains its original gilding. An all around fine spoon with nothing to fault.

Provenance: Formerly in the Quernmore Collection sold as lot 94 at Bonhams, New Bond St. London on 2nd July 2008 for £5280.