Queen Mary I Apostle Spoon, 1554 by Bartholomew

This is a fabulous example of a mid-16th century silver spoon with an apostle finial. The gilt apostle depicted is probably St James the Greater with a pilgrims staff  and wearing a nimbus with sacred dove in relief to the top.

This spoon was made by one of the most important spoon makers of the period - Nicholas Bartholomew - who is identified by the excellent "crescent enclosing a mullet" makers mark. This particular mark was used as a workshop mark for a lengthy period during the 16th and early 17th centuries and passed from master to apprentice. The date letter has the distinctive cut out to the punch that differentiates it from the late Elizabethan letter "R" and the lion passant is within a diagnostic rectangular punch. There is also a fair example of the leopards head crowned mark to the bowl.

This fine spoon has a good hefty weight in the hand and the thick gauge used in its manufacture has allowed the bowl to remain in good order with a thick rim and excellent profile. The original "v-joint" for attaching the finial can be seen to both sides (considered as a benefit showing original maunfacture rather than a later addition).

For a 450 year old spoon, this example is in generally excellent condition. The sacred dove motif to the nimbus is a little worn (see close up photo) but the apostle figure still shows good detail. All in all this is an excellent survivor, proof that it has been lovingly conserved through the centuries and is testament to the original high quality of workmanship.

To place this spoon in a historical context, the reign of Queen Mary I lasted just five tumultuous years during which time she was known for her brutal persecution of Protestants and gave rise to her sobriquet – Bloody Mary. She was the daughter of Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragorn. She came to throne in 1553 following the death of her half-brother Edward VI and the nine day reign of Lady Jane Grey. She was succeeded in 1558 by her half-sister Elizabeth I. The most well-known victim of her religious zeal was the burning at the stake in Oxford of Thomas Cranmer –a leader of the English Reformation and Archbishop of Canterbury.

Finding pre-Elizabethan spoons is extremely difficult and a hefty premium should be attached to any spoon from this period. The fact that we have placed this spoon as a four figure price does not reflect any negative issues, but rather sensible pricing! This spoon has the added bonus of good overall condition and clear hallmarks.