Apostle spoon: St. James the Great 1592 - 1593

Around the turn of the 17th century, William Cawdell in England crafted this silver Apostle spoon, topped by a figure of St. James the Great. Silver is a precious material, prized for its sheen and malleability. The spoon would have been made using a combination of techniques, including casting, hammering, and engraving. Molten silver was poured into a mold to create the basic shape, and then hammered to refine its form, strengthen the structure, and create the thinner handle. The figure of St. James was likely cast separately and then attached to the handle. Fine details, like the saint’s face and clothing, were added through engraving. Apostle spoons like this one weren't just tools, but symbols of wealth and status. Owning a set of these spoons meant you could afford both the silver and the skilled labor required to make them. The spoons act as reminders that even the most functional objects can be elevated to art through craftsmanship and the inherent value of materials, blurring the lines between the practical and the precious.