Scandinavian / Danish 'Folk Art' Horse handle mangle board chip carved & original green/red paint SKS c.1840

For sale is a beautiful Danish 'Folk Art' mangle board with carved horse handle, chip carved decoration and original green and red paint from circa 1825-1850. - Beautiful patina to this Danish mangle board with the carved initials Sks (beneath the horses stylised circular painted reigns) for the female recipient of the love token from a potential husband. Essentially a courtship gift offered by the man to his potential bride prior to the acceptance of marriage. - These Scandinavian/Northern European domestic tools were used to press or smooth laundry and remove folds after washing. The mangle board was a single piece of carved wood (predominantly oak, beech or pine), used with a large rolling pin around which the damp material was rolled. - This Danish board has an attractive well carved heavy horse handle with beautiful patina and paint, with well carved head. The handle has stylised rosmalning type painting around the handles and on the legs of the horse in orange/red. - The symbolism of the horse in Scandinavian countries stems from as early as Paganism and witchcraft to Vikings. The horse itself was considered as a status symbol and highly valued property in Scandinavian households. Often utilised as a traditional gift for any kind of key life occasions such as marriage. - The board has been decorated completely with a simple, naive chip carved pattern of rosette and simple geometric shapes. - Green/red painted board background with bevelled red edges and chip carving. - Honest condition with wear and signs of use throughout over its c.175+ years, some woodworm during its lifetime, but remains solid. - Solid construction made of Northern European hardwood most likely beech (or oak). A beautiful Danish 'folk art' antique created with love in the first half of the 19th Century with a combination of utility, function and decorative design. *The last three photographs show a second Danish horse mangle board that W&W Antiques also have available for sale for context/size/design comparison. Please contact us if you are interested in multiple items.