Object Description
An extremely rare Henry VIII period silver apostle spoon of St James the Greater. Apart from the Swaythling set of apostle spoons (which we also own), this is believed to be the earliest item of hallmarked English silver for sale in the world at the present time-2022.
The London leopard’s head is struck in the bowl, and, on the reverse, there is a date letter and a “Fringed S” mark attributed to William Simpson. Simpson was apprenticed in 1499 to Robert Preston and was working, and using his own mark, from around 1510 – 1545.
The spoon is in good condition and has a nice patina.
Pre-Elizabethan hallmarked silver is of extreme rarity (coins are fairly common).
Dimensions: length 18 cm; weight 1.75 troy oz.