Apostle spoon: St. Thomas 1592 - 1593

This silver Apostle spoon depicting St. Thomas was crafted in England, likely during the late 16th or early 17th century by William Cawdell. These spoons were popular christening gifts among the rising middle class and gentry, reflecting a shift in social values and the growing importance of personal identity. The choice of St. Thomas, often associated with doubt and skepticism, might seem curious. However, in a period marked by religious upheaval and questioning of authority, his figure could represent a more individual approach to faith. The spoon, once a humble utensil, here becomes a symbol of status and religious affiliation. Studying objects like this spoon allows us to explore the intersection of faith, social mobility, and material culture in early modern England. By researching probate records, guild documents, and religious treatises, we can better understand how this everyday object embodied the complex values of its time. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.