Sweetpea Cottage

Signed, Dated, Scandinavian Carved Mangle Board, 1878

$589 SALE
$689  15% Off
You save $100

Add to Cart
Email Shop Owner
Alert
5 other shoppers are interested in this item

We specialize in Norwegian folk art, Jugendstil style Goberg ironwork, and artisan jewelry!
Contact us by email if you wish to negotiate a better price!

Platinum

since 2004
This mangle board, or smoothing board, is a wonderful piece of folk art that is beautifully carved and decorated including a desirable horse handle. It is 27 ½ inches long and 5 ½ inches wide. The board is a robust 1 ½ inches thick. The horse handle is 7 ½ inches long, 4 ¼ inches tall, 1 1/8 inches thick and is mortised into the board. It has a very graceful look. The bottom of the tail was broken off at one time and is lost. The face of the board is decorated with vein-carved designs. There is some bone inlay work along with a piece of walnut inlay that is all used to accent the carved design. Directly in front of the horse the walnut inlay represents the Christian cross. The piece is signed with initials and the date ”1878” carved into a piece of inlay. Because of the stylized nature of the initials, we are unsure what they are. The board is made with very heavy birch. It weighs 5 1/2 lbs. The varnish finish has developed a wonderful golden-brown patina over the years and the piece has an exceptional look. It displays beautifully. One photo shows it in a display setting. The board has the usual dings, scratches and flaws that would be expected on a piece of wood that is over 140 years old. There are some inactive insect holes. A remnant of an original leather hanging strap remains on one end and a modern steel hook for hanging is on the other end. In all regards, this is an unusual and outstanding mangle board that will add interest to any collection and create many comments when on display.

While originally intended to be used for smoothing sheets and linens, by tradition mangle boards ("mangletre" in Norwegian), or smoothing boards, became devices that were hand-carved by men to be given to their brides at the time when they became engaged. The fancier ones such as this board were never intended to be used, but were strictly done for display. It was a sign of honor to have a beautifully carved and/or painted mangle board hanging on your wall.
Item id: AntManB-1332
Color: Brown, Cream
Style: Folk Art
Item type: Antique