Welsh Lovespoons
Lovespoons: a history, a gallery of some of my works, & what to expect if you order a custom creation.
What are they?
Welsh Lovespoons are a cherished part of our culture and herritage. The basic kitchen utensil, inWales, eventually became an elaborate and ornately carved and crafted symbol of a man's love and loyalty. It was a declaration of his feelings and a show of his carpentry skill. It would be offered to the woman he wished to marry, etched with various signs and symbols, each holding a unique and specific meaning related to the life he wished to create with her.
The oldest Welsh lovespoon known to survive is preserved, and can be found in St Fagans museum, dating to 1667, however, the custom, almost certainly, dates back far further.
A replica of a simple 19th century lovespoon in oak.
Why carve them?
Now, mostly, lovespoons are mass produced, sold as cheap trinkets, decorations, or souvenirs for tourists. I truly feel it cheapens, not only our wonderful tradition, but also the sentiment behind a gift that holds such deep meaning and symbolism. A gift that is intended for the most treasured people in your life. This is why I offer the service of working with you, creating and carving lovespoons that are designed with love, meaning, and care.
A custom friendship Teddy bear lovespoon, created for someone with a love of bears and reading.
A detailed, custom lovespoon carved from a photo of two beautiful and cherished cocker spaniels.
A lovespoon in cherry, carved for the 21st birthday for a lover of horses
