13. Spoon, silver

From Ammunde, Burs parish, Gotland, 1250-1361 A.D. Spoon made of silver, partially gilded. Round bowl, three-sided handle with a lion's head crowned by a square knob. The lion can be seen as a symbol of Jesus as he is "the Lion of Judah". In the Middle Ages, spoons and knifes was used as cutlery. The fork was only introduced in the 16th century. Spoons were often made of wood, horn or tin. Spoons made of silver were exclusive and most likely only used at special occasions. As the bowls of these spoons are large, they have possibly been drunk from rather than put into the mouth. SHM 2485:31B