Lovespoons are the most well-known of the Welsh love tokens and have been given by suitors to their sweethearts since at least the mid- to late 17th century. The oldest lovespoon housed at St Fagans National History Museum is dated 1667.

Although the custom's fortunes have fluctuated over time, the tradition still flourishes today and in recent years a new generation of talented carvers have produced wonderful contemporary pieces, some of which have been kindly donated to the Museum.