**Originally Listed At $250**

Northern Europe, Scandinavia, Germany, or the Netherlands, ca. 1814 CE. A delightful example of Northern European folk art! A wooden mangle board, presenting a flat, rectangular form with a horse-shaped handle, all adorned in painted hues of seafoam green and maroon. Traditionally carved by young men as courtship gifts, mangle boards were used to smooth linens before the invention of clothing irons. This lovely example boasts an ornate board embellished on one side with relief decoration of several rosettes as well as the inscription "ANO 1814" indicating the year of its manufacture. Projecting from the board, the stylized horse presents a lengthy, sloped back that serves as a gripping surface and a large head with perky ears and a curved snout that bows to touch the ground, creating a loop to place one's thumb. Size: 22" L x 5.9" W x 4.9" H (55.9 cm x 15 cm x 12.4 cm)

To use a mangle board, one would fold wrap a cloth around a rolling pin. Then grasp the handle of the mangle board and use one's weight to move the board backwards and forwards across the pin, pressing out any undesirable folds or wrinkles.

Provenance: private Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, USA collection; ex-Artemis Gallery; ex-private San Francisco, California, USA collection, acquired 1970s to 2000s

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#181167

Loss to end opposite handle with some chipping and smaller losses to shorter peripheries. Old inactive insect holes throughout. Some nicks, abrasions, and softening of detail, as shown. Otherwise, very nice with great remains of pigment. Old collection labels on verso. Modern black ribbon tied to handle.