What is the Madonna spoon used for?

[Elena Russ]

Hello!
I have an interesting Norwegian spoon with an image of the Madonna and Child by David Andersen. Please tell me what it is for, who is depicted on the back and what is written on its ladle?
Best regards, Elena.

[Sasropakis]

The text reads "Help us, Holy Trinity" and it's the Holy Trinity that is depicted: God the Father, the Son (Jesus on the cross) and the Holy Spirit (dove). The original spoon was probably a baptismal spoon but this one is a reproduction.

[Silverstone]

Hi Elena,

Sasropakis was a little bit quicker with his expalantion of the christian doctrine.
I have never seen a spoon with an undressed woman before!

This type of really old spoons with inscription are medievial types.
Here is a fascinating example of a late middel-Ages type of a Norwegian spoon from Bergen (1585 - HB mark), which I found in the book „Norwegian Silver, A shining Heritage, Carol Hasvold, Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, Decorah, Iowa.



Regards
Silverstone

[Elena Russ]

Dear friends!
I am very grateful for the prompt and useful information!
With great respect, Elena.
P.S.: ... I went to look for this book.