crudely cast pewter dessert spoons

These types of decorated pewter spoons are common on eBay. They are evidently Dutch.

The casting is crude on the two that I have.

Were they made to be used or were they just decorative?

Roughly when were they in fashion?

 

Decorative. Would you put one of those in your own mouth?

 

Or anyone else's?

Debora

 

I'm not fastidious. Have used them to eat trifle.

 

Are there any marks on the reverse?

 

No marks.

 

Thanks. I appreciate the warning. They were used once because they were a Christmas present.

 

the form is "apostle spoon". wihout marks they could be rather new - 50s and later - because such detestable copiers like Frieling (Germany) had them also made.
not necesserally Dutch, but certainly heavy drinking was a Dutch invention. "as drunk as a Dutch" was an expression we learnt in school in English courses.

 

I would call them decorative spoons, not spoons for actual use.
I have never seen them here in the Netherlands. Having said that, the one on the left carries the town crest of Leiden.



Sure Fid, of course the Dutch invented heavy drinking, we all know Dionysos and Bacchus had little Dutch flags on their goblets.

I only know the near obsolete term 'Dutch drunk' in English, meaning someone is so drunk that English speakers can't understand what he says, and it might as well be Dutch. As in: blame it on the neighbours who we are at war with, and who speak a funny language anyway.
Double Dutch has a similar meaning.

Most negative English expressions about the Dutch came about during the Anglo-Dutch wars. In some nations ridiculing the enemy is part of warfare. Childish of course, but it seems to keep up morale. Whatever works....

 

They're not apostle spoons. Similar quality could be found in gift shops and catalogs in the 1970s-'80s here in the US (can remember seeing them for sale at Busch Gardens back then), they were available singly or in sets, complete with wooden spoon racks - versions of late 19th - early 20th century Dutch souvenir-type production (similar also made by Hanau silver manufacturers in the Dutch style).

Agree the first relates to Leiden, earlier versions usually found with the scene in the bowl from Leiden-born Dutch Master Jan Steen's rather alarming 'Tooth Puller' painting, don't recognize the dancing scene in this one, but the renditions are often poorly done and only show a bit from various Dutch paintings.

The second is commonly known as a 'William & Mary' spoon, often sold as 'wedding spoons' - feel like I should recognize the tavern scene in the bowl, but it's not coming to me...

Never a good idea to eat or drink from old pewter, and these, as already suggested, were not intended for use, but they're probably recent enough that lead isn't an ingredient in the alloy.

~Cheryl

 

Should say that I don't know the term 'Dutch drunk', but do know 'Dutch courage', referring to bravado due to liquor consumption - regardless, seems like, in this day and age, we ought to be able to dispense with negative terms related to heritage, nationality, religion, or gender. But suppose that will never happen for some people...

~Cheryl

 

Exactly, apostle spoons have (drum roll) apostles on them.