Welsh love spoons are traditional decorative items that are a popular gift for occasions such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, births, or of course, as a love token. In fact, this is thought to have been the original purpose of the love spoons back in the 17th century, with the earliest known example dated from 1667 in St Fagans National Museum of History.
It is thought that they were first created by Welsh sailors who used their spare time at sea to whittle the wooden spoons with pocket knives. Over time, the decorative handle designs became more elaborate, featuring symbols imbued with a personal and emotional value, such as hearts, Celtic crosses, angels, keys, and bowls.
These represented romantic feelings such as affection, protection, a sense of security and spiritual nourishment. The young man would then offer the carved item as a gift to a lady, in the hope that she would return his affections. The spoons were not used as kitchen tools, but often hung beside the fireplace as a decoration.
The art of carving love spoons has evolved over the years, and now a new generation of craftspeople are introducing new design elements and high-quality materials, such as walnut, sycamore or limewood. These woods are perfectly suited to carving because they take detail well and produce a lovely crisp finish.
These beautiful woods are very durable and it does not take much time or effort to keep them in pristine condition. However, observing some simple tips on maintaining and storing your love spoons will keep them looking special for years to come.
Cleaning your love spoon
Regularly dust your love spoon with a soft cloth or soft-bristled brush to avoid dust building up in the intricately carved surfaces.
If more stubborn dirt needs to be removed, apply a thin layer of beeswax, leave it for 15 minutes and then buff away using a soft dry cloth.
Some people choose to keep their love spoons in display cases to protect them from dust and environmental pollutants.
Love spoons were originally intended to be enduring symbols of eternal love and affection that could be handed down as family heirlooms. Caring for your love spoon properly will help to preserve this unique piece of Welsh heritage and craftsmanship for generations to come.
