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Lot Essay
Acquired by Lady Constance Bates 1908. The letter attached with this lot states that the spoon is by repute made by 'John Hughes Gwespyr 1705'.
The custom of carving love spoons as tokens of affection to be given and received by sweet hearts is thought to represent an early type of engagement or serious courtship, generally between rustic "woers" and those absent for long periods, such as sailors. The tradition is not just confined to Wales, but also found in England and Europe. One of the earliest examples, at St. Fagan's, National History Museum, Cardiff, is dated 1667. The majority of the two-hundred spoons in the collection date from the 18th to the late 19th century. Love spoons vary in complexity, form and timbers, although apple wood was commonly used because of its association with Adam and Eve. Carved by the amateur and professional the spoons tend not to adhere to any specific patterns, but many convey common symbolic traits. The heart obviously denotes love, the wheel represents hard work, the double bowls make reference to a double union and the carved spheres within cages represent the number of children desired. This love spoon with five bowls is relatively uncommon, although a similar example with five spoons linked to a circular frame is in the St. Fagans collection (inv. 1252). Christie's would like to thank Mared McAleavey, Senior Curator, St. Fagans, National History Museum, Cardiff, for her help with research.
The custom of carving love spoons as tokens of affection to be given and received by sweet hearts is thought to represent an early type of engagement or serious courtship, generally between rustic "woers" and those absent for long periods, such as sailors. The tradition is not just confined to Wales, but also found in England and Europe. One of the earliest examples, at St. Fagan's, National History Museum, Cardiff, is dated 1667. The majority of the two-hundred spoons in the collection date from the 18th to the late 19th century. Love spoons vary in complexity, form and timbers, although apple wood was commonly used because of its association with Adam and Eve. Carved by the amateur and professional the spoons tend not to adhere to any specific patterns, but many convey common symbolic traits. The heart obviously denotes love, the wheel represents hard work, the double bowls make reference to a double union and the carved spheres within cages represent the number of children desired. This love spoon with five bowls is relatively uncommon, although a similar example with five spoons linked to a circular frame is in the St. Fagans collection (inv. 1252). Christie's would like to thank Mared McAleavey, Senior Curator, St. Fagans, National History Museum, Cardiff, for her help with research.