<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><!DOCTYPE Zthes SYSTEM "http://zthes.z3950.org/xml/zthes-05.dtd">  <Zthes><term><termId>31412973</termId><termName>apostle spoons</termName><termType>PT</termType><termNote><![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. ]]></termNote><termCreatedDate>2026-03-30 20:51:03</termCreatedDate><relation><relationType>UF</relationType><termId>31412974</termId><termName>apostle spoon</termName><termType>ND</termType></relation><relation><relationType>BT</relationType><termId>31376977</termId><termName>place spoons</termName><termType>PT</termType></relation></term>  </Zthes>