Apostle spoon

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Apostle spoons are thought to have originated in late-fifteenth century England but also became popular in the Netherlands, where household goods were frequently embellished with biblical imagery reminding the owner of Christian virtues. The sword identifies the apostle as Saint Paul. The decoration of the lower part of the stem, depicting Judith holding the head of Holofernes, is typical for the harbor city Enkhuizen, affluent thanks to its overseas trade with the East Indies

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The fifty thousand objects in the Museum's comprehensive and historically important collection of European sculpture and decorative arts reflect the development of a number of art forms in Western European countries from the early fifteenth through the early twentieth century. The holdings include sculpture in many sizes and media, woodwork and furniture, ceramics and glass, metalwork and jewelry, horological and mathematical instruments, and tapestries and textiles. Ceramics made in Asia for export to European markets and sculpture and decorative arts produced in Latin America during this period are also included among these works.

Metropolitan Museum of Art