<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><mads xmlns="http://www.loc.gov/mads/" xmlns:mods="http://www.loc.gov/mods/v3" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.loc.gov/mads/
mads.xsd"><authority><topic authority="http://AATesaurus.cultura.gencat.cat/aat/getty_en">apostle spoons</topic></authority><related type="broader"><topic>place spoons</topic></related><variant type="other"><topic>apostle spoon</topic></variant> <note xml:lang="en"><![CDATA[ Silver spoons with the top of the handle surmounted by a small statuette of an apostle. Apostle spoons were intended for personal use at table and were highly popular in England ca. 1490-1675; they were also made on the Continent, especially in Germany. Sometimes apostle spoons were made as sets of thirteen, a dozen featuring the apostles and another topped with a figure of Jesus Christ, a so-called master spoon. Spoons featuring small statuettes of saints have also been called apostle spoons. In the 16th and 17th centuries apostle spoons were seemingly popular as christening presents. Silver-plated versions were made in the 20th century for use as demitasse spoons. ]]></note></mads>