Casgliadau Arlein

Lovespoons with balls carved in cages

Balls carved within cages are commonly thought to represent the number of children desired by the carver, but could equally be a sign of a man held captive by his love. 25.235/6 features a single ball running freely in a cage and a single heart carved above, while 53.101.17 includes two small balls running within a cage and a triangular chip carving pattern on its cage. There is internal and external chip carving around its border and a central heart symbol which complements the spoon’s outer rim