apostle spoon

plural apostle spoons

1. A spoon (usually silver) with an image of an apostle or other Christian religious figure as the termination of the handle.

   Apostle spoons were a common baptismal gift in the 16th and 17th centuries.

   2 more examples

   He had picked up a small apostle spoon from the sideboard and by sheer violence broke off the small figure at the top.

   1926, Gilbert Keith Chesterton, “The Dagger With Wings”, in The Incredulity of Father Brown

   They busied themselves with the tea. There were silver tongs for the sugar, apostle spoons with elaborate handles, a milk jug adorned with a pheasant in flight.

   2022, Liam McIlvanney, The Heretic, page 114