Old-fashioned silver spoons, the handles of which end in figures of the Apostles. They were the usual present of sponsors at baptisms.
[c. 1524. Churchw. Acc. St. Mary Hill (1797), 128. Seven spoons with apostles.]
1614. B. Jonson, Barth. Fair, I. iii. Two Apostle spoons … and a cup to eate a cawdle in.
1630. Middleton, Chaste Maid, III. ii. Two great ’postle spoons.
1796. Pegge, Anonym. (1809), 182. The Apostle-spoons … very common in the last century, but are seldom seen now. The set consists of a dozen, and each had the figure of an Apostle, with his proper ensign, at the top.
1857. Ruskin, Pol. Econ. Art, 59. The old plate except a few apostle spoons … is sent to be melted down.
