A pair of unusually large applewood love spoons with intricate carved motif featuring a variety of designs such as hearts, spades, diamonds, wheel and teardrops, alongside abstract shapes. The sides of the handles feature a minutely carved triangular motif, and the top and bottom edges are lightly scalloped. The two halves of the handle of the larger spoon have been pierced and fastened together by wooden chain loops and the pattern has been carefully matched along either side of the join.

Comparators:
Lots 737 and 738, Sotheby’s, The Welsh Sale, Margam Park, 19 October 1999

Known in Welsh as llwy garu, the tradition of carving love spoons dates back centuries, with the oldest surviving examples originating from the 1660’s. The craft developed as a way for young male suitors to impress the object of their affections. The practice of carving and gifting an ornate spoon was intended to demonstrate their devotion to the recipient and well as their skills and ability to provide as a potential husband. Love spoons could be gifted all year round, but are most associated with Dydd Santes Dwynwen, otherwise known as St Dwynwen’s Day, the Welsh equivalent of Valentine’s Day celebrated on 25th January. In modern times, love spoons have become more generalised tokens of affection are gifted for a range of occasions such as christenings and anniversaries.

Carved from a single piece of wood, love spoon generally ranged between the size of a tablespoon and a wooden cooking spoon. Larger spoons were often created by sailors, who would while away the time on long voyages by carving gifts for their beloved. Earlier examples of the craft were usually designed to be functional, whereas later variations, specifically those of the 19th century, were often purely ornamental.

Traditional Welsh love spoons have a distinct iconography to their carvings, rich with symbolism and hidden meaning. A twin love heart motif represents a reciprocated love between carver and receiver, whereas spoons with individual carved hearts, such as these ones, indicate that it is the first declaration of feelings made. The teardrop, comma or paisley shape carved throughout the handle symbolises deep attachment and the soul. Curiously, the comma shape was the representation of the soul in Ancient Egypt. It is unknown how the Welsh connection to the symbol developed, but it may have been appropriated from printed reproductions circulating in Britain at the time. Many of the more abstract shaped carvings in fact represent keys and keyholes, symbolic of the keys to the heart. They also represented domestic security and hopes of how the makers home was also to become the recipients. The diamond shapes featured at the corners represents strength and hopes for prosperity and good fortune. The carved chain loops which link the two pieces of the handle together symbolise the bindings of love and fidelity and the joining of two families in marriage. A carved wheel motif features prominently in five places on the handle of the smaller spoon; it symbolises the vow that the carver made to work hard and guide their beloved throughout life.

Though they may incorporate the commonly understood iconography, the appearance of these love spoons is highly unusual. There is both naivety and skill in the pierced carvings, and the spoons shape and size show great intentionality from the maker; a testament to the depth of their devotion. 19th Century Pembrokeshire was noted for producing spoons with large, flat, intricately pierced handles, yet there are almost no known surviving examples similar to this one. Most love spoons were made with sycamore wood, with some also being carved from yew. Applewood is an uncommon medium and further highlights the uniqueness of these pieces.