Information about Love Spoons
History & Tradition
The tradition of carving and gifting Welsh Love Spoons began centuries ago in Wales. Young men would hand-carve intricate wooden spoons as tokens of affection for the girls they loved. If accepted, the spoon signified the girl’s interest, marking the start of a relationship - a practice believed to inspire the term 'spooning'.
Originally, these spoons were practical kitchen tools, but over time, they evolved into elaborate carvings. Young men, often during long winter evenings, would craft increasingly intricate designs to impress their loved ones. The complexity of the carving symbolised the depth of their feelings and their ability to provide.
Welsh Love Spoons are unique in their variety of designs and carving techniques, reflecting Wales’ rich tradition. While similar customs existed across Europe, Wales stands out for the quality and artistry of its spoons. Early examples date back to the 17th century, with some displayed at the Welsh Folk Museum in Cardiff.
Symbols carved into the spoons conveyed hidden messages: chains for eternal togetherness, diamonds for wealth, crosses for faith, and dragons for protection. Carved from lime, sycamore, yew, or fruitwoods, the spoons were treasured keepsakes, often displayed proudly in homes.
Today, Love Spoons are cherished as gifts for weddings, anniversaries, and other special occasions, preserving a beautiful Welsh tradition.
Symbols & Meanings
There has been much debate on the significance of the different symbols and motifs used in the carving of love spoons. Many of the young carvers were shy and unwilling to show their emotions, and this would attempt to convey their true feelings through the use of various symbols.
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.
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BELL | Weddings or Anniversaries or Together in Harmony. |
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BALL IN CAGE | Love held safe or the number of children one wishes to have. |
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BIRDS | Love birds or Lets go away together. Stork represents a new birth. |
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CHAIN | Signifies loyalty and faithfulness. A wish to be together forever. Can also signify the number of children one wishes. |
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CROSS | A wish to have faith in Jesus Christ or a wish for God to bless. |
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DIAMOND | Wealth or Good fortune. |
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HEART | This is one of the most common patterns. One heart signifies that the girl/boy has taken hold of the young man/woman's heart, and two hearts on the same spoon means that love is reciprocated. |
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HORSESHOE | A symbol of Good luck and Good fortune. |
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KEY/ KEYHOLE | Security or I shall look after you. The partner holds the key to his/her heart or home. |
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KNOT / CELTIC KNOTWORK | Eternal love or Together forever or Everlasting. |
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LOCK | Security or, I shall look after you |
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TWISTED STEM | Two live become as one, or, Togetherness. |
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DRAGON | Protection or Symbol of Wales. |
The Carvers
The Cadwyn Ltd range of Welsh love spoons are the creations of a group of wood-carvers in the southern valleys of Wales, led by Paul Curtis. Paul Curtis, a native of south Wales, grew up in a family of four children. He discovered his love and talent for woodcarving when he was very young.
When he was sixteen, after learning of his interest in wood carving and design, a good friend, Ceris Williams, took him to visit a highly acclaimed master craftsman called Gwyndaf Breeze at St. Fagans Welsh Folk Museum in Cardiff. Paul now owns his own workshop and employs local staff where they cut, carve and finish the beautiful love spoons.
Wood & Finish
The wood most widely used in carving our range of Welsh Love Spoons is Limewood sourced from Monmouthshire, south Wales. The wood is pale in colour and very uniform in character.
When Paul makes a love spoon, firstly the wood is selected and cut to a manageable size. Next the design is drawn onto the wood and the basic shape of the spoon is cut out. He will then work at the spoon in more detail, carving symbols such as a heart or horseshoe, before carving the spoon's bowl.
Once he has hand carved the lovespoon it is sanded three time with different grades of sandpaper and polished twice with beeswax. "This is a painstaking way to finish a lovespoon," says Paul, "but is the only way to achieve a quality smooth silky finish that the Welsh Lovespoon deserves".
Free Engraving Service
Cadwyn offer a free engraving service of names, dates and even messages on genuine Welsh Lovespoons.
It's so simple and so unique. You choose the Lovespoon from our vast collection, and on those spoons where the service is available, you simply give us the details of what is required e.g. names and date. Your gift will be absolutely unique in the world and help to make it a really special occasion.