St. Jude Silver Apostle Spoon, 1640 Thos. Payne

What a fabulous spoon! Just look at that original thick rim to the bowl and the finely detailed apostle figure.

This high quality Charles I period spoon was made by Thomas Payne and features the scarce model of St. Jude with a halberd (long-handled axe) to the terminal. The cast figure is gilt and topped by an espirit nimbus - the dove representing the Holy Ghost's descent from heaven.

The spoon is in superb condition with the previously mentioned thick bowl rim and a fine patina. The reverse of the bowl features original, dot-pricked betrothal initials with the added bonus of being dated to the same year that the spoon was made. The London hallmarks are excellent too, with a clear date letter for the year of the Short Parliament which was the beginning of the end for Charles I.