Yeovil Apostle Spoon, 1652

This is a superb silver apostle spoon made during the Commonwealth period in Yeovil.

Provincially made spoons can sometimes be fairly crude in their manufacture, but despite the fact that the apostle lacks an emblem, this example is a truly fabulous specimen. It has a really good weight and feel in the hand and the condition is terrific - just look at the original thick rim to the fig-shaped bowl!

The cast apostle is gilt and bears a sacred dove to the nimbus. David Clayden (also known as David Clayton) worked in Yeovil during the mid-17thC and helpfully the dot-pricked betrothal initials to the reverse of the bowl are dated to 1652 which would be an accurate guide to the year of manufacture. The "DC" maker's mark with mullet above and below in a shaped punch is struck clearly four times (thrice to the stem and once to the bowl). A really wonderful spoon!