The Lovespoon History

The custom of carving and giving Welsh Lovespoons originated in Wales hundreds of years ago. The young men of today would probably buy flowers, chocolates or jewellery as a token of affection. Centuries ago in Wales, the young lover would also give gifts such as sweets or cakes; but they would also give a special, more personal gift to the lady they desire, the Welsh Love Spoon. Some of the early love spoons can be seen on display at the Welsh Folk Museum in Cardiff. There is even one that dates back to 1667.
The young man would spend hours carving the Lovespoon with his own hands, in hope that the girl would accept his gift to her. If the girl accepted the Lovespoon, this would demonstrate her interest in the young man and from there on their relationship would commence.
Although this did not confined in Wales it happened across Europe, especially in Celtic countries. Because the rural peasant people used wooden spoons to eat and prepare their food, they would carve simple spoons. It is very likely therefore those more intricate carvings developed naturally from this idea, and the most beautiful spoons were kept to give as gifts.
The young men had would spend their the long winter evenings, either writing poetry or composing songs, and others would carve all kinds of things such as kitchen utensils or toys for the children from spare pieces of wood.
Imagine a young man after a hard day's work, in a period of no radio or television or cars, spending his free time during the dark evenings carving a Lovespoon for the girl he loved in hope that she feels the same way. Spoons could also be a way of putting food on the table, and a cozy family life, which would most impress the girl as this would show his ability to care for her and a family.

The greatest authority on the tradition of carving Welsh Love Spoons in Wales today is Gwyndaf Breeze. According to Gwyndaf, who taught the craft to Paul Curtis though the tradition of carving Lovespoons is not unique to Wales, the quality of those produced here is among the best in the world, and the development of the spoon from a common kitchen utensil to the intricately carved design is a uniquely Welsh phenomenon.
There is no other country in the world with such a wide range of variety of designs, high standard of carving and techniques; and the young carvers put such great deal of time and thought into each and every design to ensure your Lovespoon is truly unique. As Wales was such a poor culture who could not afford such presents of expensive jewellery, they would instead create a Lovespoon as beautiful possible.
During this period, the young man’s practical skills would have been very desirable and a beautifully carved spoon would demonstrate the young man's talent and skills. The carvers used to attempt to create a more and more intricate designs as they vied for the attractions of a certain girl. The more complicated and difficult the design, the more it would symbolize the depth of the gentleman’s love and desire to labor on behalf of his loved one, which I am sure would differently impress the girl. It is also possible that the size of the spoon would reflect the carver's love, but the spoons do vary considerably in size from 8cm to a meter in length.
The custom of the Lovespoon was widespread across Wales and we have no evidence to suggest that certain areas favored certain designs. It would be impossible for us to say how many love spoons were actually produced during this period; but we do know that many of the designs were very delicate and although they would not have been used for eating or cooking they could have been easily broken. The earliest existing examples come from the 17th century.

There have been many different opinions on the significance of the difference between the symbols and the motifs used in the carving of Lovespoons. Many of the carvers were shy and unwilling to show their emotions, this would be one way to attempt to convey their true feelings through the use of various symbols, it is thought. Over the centuries, many more symbols and motifs have been added and as the love spoons became more elaborate and decorative, they have become collectables.
Symbols to convey love have been used from the earliest spoons, and are familiar throughout Europe. For instance, a chain would mean a wish to be together forever, a diamond would mean wealth or good fortune, a cross would mean faith, a flower would mean affection, or a dragon for protection etc.
Traditionally, the spoons were carved using only one piece of wood. The most popular wood was sycamore, but we also have examples of using yew, oak, boxwood and even fruit trees such as apple or wild cherry. Wood with a close grain had to be dried because fresh wood could split as it dried. The carver would use a trunk and split it in half before carving a rough shape of the spoon in one of the halves.
The earliest of the Lovespoons were not very intricate at all; they would have been very simple designs with perhaps the initials of the couple and a hole of some sort in the top so it could be hung on the wall. These early carvers would use very simple tools, only a pocketknife, an axe and perhaps a saw. They would have had no design to follow or any technical knowledge; they would have been working with only the basics. Although they perhaps copied other designs and some of their creations are remarkable considering the circumstances.

If the young man was successful in his quest of capturing the girl's heart, then the spoon would be treasured and proudly displayed on one of the walls of their home, much as a wedding photograph would be in our days. There is a possibility also; that a particularly popular girl would receive more than one spoon from would-be suitors; but it is unlikely that a youth would spend too much time and effort if he did not think he had a realistic chance of winning the girl over. When the young ladies accepted the spoon, it is likely that the young people would assume a relationship between the two; therefore the two would be seen as a “couple” by their community.
We should remember however that 'engaging' and having a Wedding ceremony was not have been common in rural Wales until the end of the 18th century, and many of young couples would co-habit.
Today as well as being a gift of affection or a memento of a visit to Wales, Lovespoons are given for many special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, births, engagements, christenings, house warming and St. Valentine’s Day.