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17th Century Danish Carved beechwood and polychrome decorated Mangle Board.

Denmark, possibly Grimstrup.

Carved in deep relief, with polychrome decoration, with female figures surrounded by flowers, cones and grapes. The applied handle of a mermaid with scrolling tail over a cartouche reading JMBB.

In his book ‘Treen & Other Wooden Bygones’, Edward H. Pinto includes a section on mangling boards, in which he describes them as a domestic implement, formerly used in many parts of Europe but more particularly in Scandinavia and Friesland, which would have been used to smooth out linen or clothing as it passed through a mangle, before being discarded for the flat iron. A mangling board was used in conjunction with a roller (Edward H. Pinto, ‘Treen & Other Wooden Bygones’ (Bell & Hyman, London, 1979), p.153).

In An Encyclopedia of the History of Technology’ Ian McNeil states: ‘During the sixteenth century the mangling board and roller came into general use. The idea spread from Holland, Denmark and northern Germany.... The material was wrapped round the roller... which was placed on a flat table. The mangling board [was] then passed backwards and forwards over the roller until the fabric was smoothed... The idea was exported by Dutch colonists, particularly to North America and South Africa’ (Ian McNeil, An Encyclopedia of the History of Technology’ (Routledge, 1990). This action was a hand version of the wheel and chain operated box mangle. While the board could be beautifully decorated on one side – sometimes with carved initials and dates as in this example – the roller had to be smooth and plain for effective ‘ironing’.

Pinto explains that mangling boards from Scandinavia and Friesland were handsomely carved, serving a secondary purpose as ornaments in the home and as a reminder of man’s prowess in carving. Making an attractive carved mangling board, such as this one, was a part of the winter’s ‘husflid’, traditional carving which is carried out during the long winter months when it is not possible to work outside. Such mangling boards were not only used as ornaments within the home but were also sometimes hung outside the entrance door to the house to publicise that the owner took in laundry (Pinto, ‘Treen & Other Wooden Bygones’, p.153).

By tradition, mangling boards became a popular courtship gift, hand-carved by men to be given to their brides at their engagement. They often bore the year of manufacture and the initials of the recipient – as in this example. The primary objects created and offered by male suitors were tools and implements related to domestic tasks – spinning, weaving, cleaning, smoothing and other working of cloths – as young women invariably spent their days working together with textiles and their suitors’ gifts enabled could be shown off to their colleagues and friends. It was a sign of honour to have a beautifully carved mangle board hanging on your wall (see Robert Young’s article ‘Folk Art Love Tokens’ in Antique Collecting’, September 2011, pp.20-24).

Much of northern Europe used to be covered in forests of birch and pine - woods which were good for general carpentry, but not suitable for fine and detailed carving. Traditional decoration therefore tended to be large and bold with geometric and floral chip carved patterns as in this example. Pinto explains that Scandinavian mangling boards were thicker and heavier than boards from Friesland (northern Netherlands) because wood – birch and pine – was more abundant in Scandinavia, whereas boards from Friesland were made of oak and were much lighter (Pinto, ‘Treen & Other Wooden Bygones’, p.153 see image).

Bibliography:
Edward H. Pinto, ‘Treen & Other Wooden Bygones’ (Bell & Hyman, London, 1979).
Ian McNeil, An Encyclopedia of the History of Technology’ (Routledge, 1990).
Robert Young, ‘Folk Art Love Tokens’ in Antique Collecting’ (September 2011), pp.20-24.

Dimensions

Length: 62cm Width: 16cm Height: 14.5cm


This object includes complimentary, Insured Shipping / Delivery within the UK



Stock number

6828
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The BADA Standard

  • Since 1918, BADA has been the leading association for the antiques and fine art trade
  • Members are elected for their knowledge, integrity and quality of stock
  • Our clients are protected by BADA’s code of conduct
  • Our dealers’ membership is reviewed and renewed annually
  • Bada.org is a non-profit site: clients deal directly with members and they pay no hidden fees
Click here for more information on the BADA Standard