lovespoons

RUMOR HAS IT THAT Richard Burton presented one to Elizabeth Taylor, Tom Jones has a soft spot for them and Sir Winston Churchill received one when he was knighted. For generations of Welsh, a common kitchen utensil has served to represent that most elusive and intangible of things—love. One thing’s for sure: Whether we’re talking about 17th-century stable boys or 20th-century stars of stage and screen, Welsh men and women have chosen to say it with lovespoons.
The uniquely Welsh history of the lovespoon tells a story of the people of Wales, of their lives, and of their love for life and all things Welsh. The lovespoon encapsulates the devotion of the ordinary people of an extraordinary land. They speak to us of home and family, of work and play, and remind us that the most precious of gifts can cost only time and patience—and perhaps a little skill!
Wooden kitchen utensils have been in wide use since the Middle Ages, but little is known as to precisely when spoons began to be regarded as a token of affection between a man and a woman. There are indeed no surviving examples prior to the 17th century. The earliest spoon, dated 1667, is found in the collection of the Museum of Welsh Life in St. Fagans, Cardiff. We can be fairly certain, however, that spoon-making was a special pursuit through the long Welsh winter months before the 1700s. It may well be the case that the modern word “spooning,” indicative of a close relationship, finds its origin in the practice of giving a spoon as a token of love and affection.
Whenever the practice originated, spoons destined to be given symbolic significance lost their utilitarian purpose and became items to treasure and admire. Those early lovespoons were crafted out of the readily available sycamore trees found throughout Wales. The actual carving was done with a pocketknife; the carver would work away by candlelight as he labored to give form to his perhaps hidden affections.

PHILIP MORGAN

Often the spoon would display characteristics that were regarded as central in the relationship between the suitor and the recipient, though certain designs more obviously convey the feelings of the woodcarver. The heart is often incorporated into the overall design of love and devotion. Ornately carved chains suggest the bond of matrimony, and fruit signify the hoped outcome of a marriage. Other spoons include a panel in the handle, containing a likeness of a loved one or perhaps a message of commitment. Some spoons are meant to be anonymous gifts, although they may in fact reveal the individual gift-giver through some hidden message.
It is unclear whether the giving and accepting of a lovespoon ever developed into a ritual of betrothal, an outward sign that two individuals had committed themselves to each other. Whatever the intent behind the practice, we do know that among the people of Wales the custom died out in the 19th century. Nevertheless, the craft and practice of lovespoon carving was continued by skilled artisans who were intent on displaying their work at the eisteddfodau held the length and breadth of Wales.
More recently, the popularity of Welsh lovespoons has grown, especially due to the increased number of overseas visitors who want to return home with something uniquely Welsh, and also by individuals who have been quick to realize the lovespoon’s moneymaking potential. Some of the finest modern day examples are available from The Lovespoon Gallery of Mumbles, Swansea, an authorized sales outlet of the Museum of Welsh Life.
Unquestionably, the best way to start or add to a lovespoon collection would be to carve your own. It really is not that difficult, and with the hand tools we have at our disposal today, a fairly decent lovespoon can be created at the first attempt. Check some books out from the local library, and begin by studying a few of the more traditional designs. Don’t be afraid to copy one of the simpler spoons; they will prove to be an ideal introduction to the craft. Most important, take your time, and don’t get discouraged if the finished spoon doesn’t quite look the way you imagined— remember, these spoons reflect the personality of the carver. So put your hands to work, and you will soon find that those cold winter nights will quickly pass, and more than another memory will have been created.

MUSEUM NOTES


Museum of Welsh Life, St. Fagans, Cardiff, CF5 6XB
Walk through 500 years of Welsh history in this open-air, living-history museum, situated on 100 acres with more than 30 original structures re-erected from across Wales.
Hours: Open daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Phone: 029 20573500
Web: www.nmgw.ac.uk/mwl