French liturgical silver spoon?

[WarrenKundis]

Just posted this large serving or basting spoon possibly by Jean Toulon in the French silver section. The particular shape of the stem seems more ladle like that leads me to believe that it has some other purpose. The monogram on the front of the finial is a very distinct M pellet, E pellet, and A pellet. On the reverse finial is a right hand that appears to be in benediction or giving a blessing. Have attempted to see the initials not as a name but an abbreviation of some sort, as in a Roman Catholic order or Latin verse.

The only item that appears to be of some small validity is mea culpa. It is a Latin phrase that translates into English as "through my fault". It is repeated three times in prayer of confession during Catholic Mass: mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa - through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault.

On the reverse the right hand either as the Right Hand of God or as benediction. Confession, forgiveness, and then blessing? Was not able to connect it to the administering of Holy Oils as in the Last Rights or Baptism. Other posts on 925 have discussed chrism or baptismal spoons. Chrism oil is another way of describing the three consecrated or blessed oils used in various sacraments. Today Holy Oils are kept in small vessels or crucibles. Was unable to locate an engraving or photograph with a spoon being used.

[URL=http://s647.photobucket.com/user/WarrenKundis/media/photo-21.jpg.html][/URL]


Warren

[agphile]

I don't think liturgical. The crest is used by at least 6 British families according to Fairbairn's Crests (Bell, Boyd, Garvie, Kassye, Miller and Tough).
The position and style of the initials on the other side suggest that they identify a later owner.

[dognose]

The image from 'Fairbairn's Crests':



In 'Elven's Heraldry', published in 1824 and perhaps a resource by engravers at that time, a similar crest is also attributed to the Miller family:



Trev.

[WarrenKundis]

Thank you gentlemen that's excellent,

A liturgical connection only made sense if I could tie the two together as to a possible French Roman Catholic society or order, which did not happen. Will definitely look more closely at these five possible English families. Would either of you feel comfortable in giving a possible time period for the style of the monogram?

Thanks again
Warren

[agphile]

I hesitate to be dogmatic - styles and fashions vary from place to place - but I would think the M.E.A. is probably early 20th century.

[WarrenKundis]

The online 1905 edition of Fairbarin's Book of Crests describes it as a dexter hand couped at the wrist, only one description states that it is a hand raised in benediction. Attempted to see if M-E-A- referred to a family motto in Latin, there was no match. Was also attempting to have a closer look at the older monogram behind the crest. It's interesting that the original engraving style appears to have been broad and shallow.

[nobilityhouse]

It could have been engraved with initials, then when it was too rubbed out (or sold) replaced with a crest, finally it was turned over and engraved on the other side. Some family cutlery is passed down with a dowry in the female line. It could be that a lady inherited the silver with her paternal crest and then had it engraved with her married name's initials on the other side. Kind regards.

[WarrenKundis]

Thank you so much nobilityhouse, much appreciated.

W

[Argentum2]

Worship according the Roman Rite provides for the use of spoons on two occasions:

Ordinarily, at the offertory in the Mass when a condiment type spoon is used to place a small amount of water into the wine - this is sometimes called a scruples spoon.

and

By exception, and in the absence of other alternatives, to administer Holy Communion, usually in cases of grave illness.

The spoon shown here is unsuitable for such functions in the Roman Rite.

Its shape, size, disposition etc. make it very unlikely to have a liturgical function among any of the Oriental Rites.

I suspect M.E.A. are initials.

[Argentum2]

Worship according the Roman Rite provides for the use of spoons on two occasions:

Ordinarily, at the offertory in the Mass when a condiment type spoon is used to place a small amount of water into the wine - this is sometimes called a scruples spoon.

and

By exception, and in the absence of other alternatives, to administer Holy Communion, usually in cases of grave illness.

The spoon shown here is unsuitable for such functions in the Roman Rite.

Its shape, size, disposition etc. make it very unlikely to have a liturgical function among any of the Oriental Rites.

I suspect M.E.A. are initials.

And there is a third use in the Roman Rite (which escaped me) which is also an ordinary use:

A spoon is used to put incense from a navicula into a thurible.