Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 98, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 April 1920 — Apostle Spoons. [ARTICLE]

Apostle Spoons.

Apostle spoons, also called "gossip spoons," were gilt spoons given by the sponsors or "gossips" to a child at its christening. They were so called because each spoon had a figure of an apostle on the handle. Wealthy people gave the whole twelve Apostles; those of less means and generosity gave the four Evangelists; while poorer persons had to be contented with one, being generally the figure of the donor's or of the child’s patron saint;