Calonnau Ymunodd a Croes Llwy Garu

Joined Hearts and Cross Lovespoon

Lovespoons have a deep and rich history in Wales and among the Welsh people who have traveled and settled throughout the world. The Welsh tradition began in the middle 1600s. During courtship a rural swain would carve as ornate a spoon as his skill would allow incorporating symbols of love, promised prosperity and stability and would present the spoon to his intended. These young men poured their passion and love into those spoons, and it showed no matter what their skill level. If she accepted the spoon, she accepted him as her future husband.

Since then the Llwy Garu, or lovespoon, has evolved into a symbol of the connection shared by two people or two groups whether it is love, marriage, friendship or a common interest.

I hand carved this lovespoon from a storm-downed branch of a wax myrtle tree. I used the same tools that would have been available to that 17th-Century farmer's son. This is a very traditional style of lovespoon carved in a very traditional manner using only an axe, knives and a drill.

The spoon is 8-1/2" long and 1-⅜" wide. The handle shows two divided hearts mirrored on either side of a St. Andrew's Cross. The divided hearts indicate that each heart shares a part with the other. The cross links the two hearts with the strength of faith.

This lovespoon would make a wonderful, unique gift for a wedding, anniversary or Valentine. The person to whom you give this spoon will remember you and the love you hold for them every time they look at it.

This is part of my Greenwood Series of lovespoons carved from raw wood as opposed to kiln dried lumber.