This 17^th-century spoon, with its large bowl and twisted handle ending in a decorative ball and ring, shows the importance of silverware for the elite of this period as proof of their good taste. Only aristocrats could afford the luxury of this precious material, hence the age-old tradition in wealthy families of a godfather giving his godchild a christening gift of a silver spoon in a decorative case to emphasise their high social status.
Although beautifully crafted, this spoon from the Alimentarium collection does not have the elongated form of a christening spoon. It more likely served as a piece of cutlery, alongside knives and forks which were increasingly used at the table. During that era, spoons were no longer just for serving food or shared between several people, but became more popular as an individual utensil for eating meals.