A James I sterling silver apostle spoon, London 1610 possibly by John Lovejoy (1565/6- 1612)

Fig shaped bowl with a hexagonal section stem, cast apostle terminal St James the Greater with a holy dove nimbus terminal. Gilding to bowl interior, traces of gilding to reverse of bowl and stem. Fully marked and with town mark in bowl.

Length – 17.8 cm / 7 inches

Weight – 67 grams / 2.15 ozt

For this mark described as ‘two clubs in saltire’ see Jackson's, Ian Pickford Edition, The Antique Collectors Club, 1989, page 108. Recorded on an apostle spoon of 1611.

This mark has been given a possible attribution to John Lovejoy if read as a rebus I-heart-I for John-love-Joy. (John Round - Third Apprentice of Patrick Brue", in The Finial: Journal of the Silver Society of Great Britain, v. 15/06, Jul/Aug 2005, pp. 9), where the marks on this spoon are illustrated. John was apprenticed to Patrick Brue “in 1582, and was probably not free till after 1589 i.e. after reaching the regulatory age of 24”. (ibid)

This mark has been recorded on “spoons bearing apostles for 1605/06, 1610/11, 1611/12, as well as the master 1610/11, 1611/12, seal tops 1606/07, 1609/10 and a slip top for 1610/11.” (ibid)

Sold: Woolley and Wallis, Salisbury, 29 April 2003, lot 87.