Images(2)

The Munro apostle spoons: The Master Christ

Maker William Simpson (British, active 1515-1546)

Collections

British Decorative Art Highlights

ClassificationsDECORATIVE ARTS

Date1527

Mediumsilver

Dimensions7 x 1 1/2 in. (17.8 x 3.8 cm.)

MarkingsMark fringed 'S' (J 94) [each marked with the leopard's head on the bowl of the spoon, maker's mark and date letter on back of stem]

Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. Gift of Mrs. W. B. Munro

Status

On view

Label TextEach of these spoons (66.1.1-66.1.13) displays a small figure of an apostle, one of the twelve disciples Christ chose to preach his Gospel to the world. In an era when many children died in infancy, newborns were frequently named for one of the apostles—who became the child's patron saint and protector—and sets of such spoons were popular baptismal presents to godchildren. The group is one of very few sets of such an early date that survive intact.

Object number66.1.1