Love spoons under the hammer

A selection of Welsh love spoons dating from the 19th Century are coming under the hammer at a major auction house.

The sale, at Sotheby's in Billinghurst, West Sussex, includes 15 spoons, which have reserve prices of between £300 and £1,500.

The most decorative of the love tokens up for sale is an unusual example carved in stained birch and decorated hens, geese, sheep and fish.

It is estimated the spoon could fetch between £1,000 and £1,500.

Love spoons date back to the 17th century and were given to loved ones as a declaration of love or to commemorate a marriage, anniversary or birth.

Intricate designs

They were made by professional workshops as well as individuals and were made from local woods, usually sycamore.

The most intricate spoons have a handle that incorporates a lantern or a cage containing a free-moving ball or a carved chain.

Jeremy Morrison, specialist in the Works of Arts department at Sotheby's, said: "This collection is a rare chance for the aspiring collector or avid devotee to view and bid for increasingly sought-after hand-crafted 19th century British folk-art.

"It was assembled over many years by someone with a discerning eye for exceptional colour, good provenance and appealing patination."