Swedish Friar Sked

[MackTheKnife]

Also known as "friar gavor", or Suitor's Gifts (Sked means spoon). Basically these are Swedish love spoons. They differ from Welsh love spoons in that the symbology is more basic and limited and they are less ornate. Rather than being given to a prospective wife, friar sked were given to young ladies that the giver would like to get to know better, kind of a "going steady" gift. Because the girl might not be interested or the romance might last about as long as a Swedish summer, the young man wasn't particularly interested in spending a great deal of time and effort in carving the spoon, thus the less ornate design.

I was put onto this art form by David Western. You can see some of the friar sked he's done here.

Anyway, I had a birch spoon blank that had a couple of knots in it, so I decided, what the heck! The result you see below. It is of a more contemporary shape (though still Swedish), and I don't think the diamond is a traditional Swedish symbol for this kind of thing. All in all, though, I thought it turned out rather well.

[Tom Ellis]

Oh well Bob, I guess we are going to have to start calling you Mack The Spoon. Looks like you are going to have to take little bites.

Looks good, Tom

[sashadoc]

So....ah....who's the lucky girl???? Great spoon and a nice little tidbit of history.

Tim

[Robert Cahill]

Nice looking spoon and thanks for the history I had not read that anywhere before,

[uvawyo]

Bob, the simplicity of this spoon is wonderful, I really admire this carving. And a super story to go along with it too.

[fly fisher]

Nice bit of carving there Bob as I know you only like to use a knife. Keep up the good work and stay safe.

[toycarver]

I like it. Looks like a fun project.