A love spoon is a decorated wooden spoon.
The custom of giving love spoons carved by a young man and presented to his sweetheart as a token of his affection and/or betrothal originated in Wales during the 17th century. The earliest known love spoon dates from 1667 and is part of a collection at the Museum of Welsh Life in St. Fagans near Cardiff. Today, the custom has expanded to also be a gift of friendship.
The spoon may be plain or intricately decorated with various symbols - birds, hearts, wheels, balls - each representing good luck, the blessing of children, wealth, health etc.
Even the most elaborate love spoon is carved from one piece of wood, thus demonstrating the skill of the carver. Almost always it is the handle of the spoon which was decorated. Although in some examples the handle was enlarged to become a panel giving greater scope for decoration, with common forms being, piercing the panel, relief carving, fretwork, or a combination of all three.
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Anchor |
Steadfastness, My love is safe with you, Home to stay. |
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Ball in Cage |
Love held safe, Years Together or Number of Children |
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Barley Sugar Twist |
Derived from the rope theme carved by sailors. |
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Bell |
Weddings, Anniversaries |
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Chain Links |
Linking of Lives, No. of children , Years together |
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Comma Shapes |
Soul Signs |
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Cross |
Faith, Marriage |
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Diamond |
Wealth, Good Fortune |
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Double Spoon |
Togetherness |
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Dragon |
Symbol of Wales, Protection |
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Flowers |
Affection or Courtship, Friendship |
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Heart |
My Heart is Yours, Love |
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Heart, Two |
We feel the same about each other |
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Heart Shaped Bowl |
Full and Bountiful Life |
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Horseshoe |
Good Luck and Happiness |
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Key & Keyhole |
Home & Security, My house is yours |
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Knot |
Everlasting, together forever |
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Leaves |
Love Grows |
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Ship |
Smooth passage through life |
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Vine |
Love Grows |
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Wheel |
Willingness to work for a loved one |
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Double Spoons |
The Couple Together Forever |
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Triple Spoons |
Family |