It started as a problematic off-cut from an old branch I found in a ditch. This wood is great to carve with and has a lovely rich colour and finish. I didn’t want to waste it but it presented a range of issues to be resolved. The bowl was irredeemably off centre so it had to be asymmetric. The handle had splits and knots so the final arched shape was hard to find. The knots made it impossible to get a clean line. In the end I charred the end and just smoothed over the surface left by the knife in roughing out.
As I was making it I visited a friend at his lovely old Queen Anne house in Blackheath, full of old wood and panelling. So the spoon evolved into an old 17th century artisan made, cook’s tasting spoon. It obviously belonged in that house so it became a gift to my old friend.
