Medieval Fayre Spoon

Medieval Sycamore Spoon
Handcarved with Axe & Knife
Sourced from sycamore grown in Noss Mayo, Devon
At Little Rowden Forest Garden
Ebonized with Iron Water
Finished with Organic Linseed Oil

Story:
Little Rowden Forest Garden were thinning a row of sycamore trees which border their patch of land in order to plant native species. Sycamore are a non-native species and have a tendency to dominate and crown out other species. So the stand were felled and replaced by native trees which will grow into a living hedgerow. This sycamore came straight to my workshop and was carved very green, still with lots of sap and water content in it. It couldn’t be much more locally sourced!

The Spoon:
I have called this the medieval spoon, as the dark brown lustre evokes in my mind a medieval fair, where broth is eaten from a wooden bowl with a wooden spoon. This spoon has been carved from tangentially cleft Sycamore, which means the growth rings of the tree are in the bowl of the spoon which gives a lovely impression. To achieve the brown effect the spoon has been ‘ebonized’ with an iron water solution, and then finished with organic linseed oil. Together with the rippling grain of the sycamore, this gives a golden brown effect which is truly unique.

Spoon Care:
This spoon is designed to be eaten with and well used – don’t be afriad to use it on a daily basis! The only thing to avoid is putting it in the dishwasher, or leaving it to soak in the washing up bowl. I always make sure my spoons are bone dry before putting them away in the drawer. To give the spoon a new lease of life from time to time you can add a coat of flax oil, walnut oil (careful of nut allergies) or linseed oil, but this is not essential, you can leave it as it is and let it develop a lovely patina.