Scandinavian / Danish 'Folk Art' Horse handle mangle board with chip carving & original black/red paint BPD c.1820

For sale is a beautiful Danish 'Folk Art' mangle board with carved horse handle, chip carved decoration and original black and red paint from circa 1810-1830. - Beautiful patina to this Danish mangle board with the carved initials Bpd (beneath the horses dipped head) 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 horse handle with beautiful patina (from a right handed woman), with well carved head, ears, mouth and nostrils, into an elegant arched neck and mane. - The symbolism of the horse in Scandinavian countries stems from as early as Paganism and witchcraft to the 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 occasion such as marriage. - The board has been decorated with a simple, naive chip carved pattern of rosette and simple geometric shapes with stylised floral decoration. - Black/dark 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 in solid condition. - 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.