Collection of Applied Arts

Each handle is formed as a half-length figure of an apostle holding his attribute: Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint Matthew, Saint James, Saint Mark and Saint Luke. Their names are engraved in Latin on the bowls of the spoons, to which the handles are joined by winged angel heads. From the fifteenth to the seventeenth century, it was customary among affluent German and French families for a godfather to present a child with a set of thirteen spoons—representing the twelve Apostles and Christ—at baptism.