2
Wooden Scandinavian Mangle Boards Wooden mangle boards were
used in the Scandinavian countries to iron large flatwork pieces like bed
coverings, tablecloths, etc. The late Esther Berney gave a good
description of how they were used in her out of print book Pressing Irons and
Trivets. As she describes it, the boards were not heated---instead
they were simply used to smooth out wrinkles on a flat surface, or the article
to be ironed was dampened and folded and tightly rolled around another piece of
wood that resembled a rolling pin and the mangle board was used to apply
pressure to propel the roller back and forth which simultaneously smoothed out
the wrinkles and dried the article. I can't vouch for how well it really
worked, but these pieces are fascinating to look at and rarely found in the US.
These two are from the Lloyd collection. One is fairly plain and
utilitarian in design. The other has a figural handle in the shape of a
horse. Both would look great amongst a collection of woodenware,
primitives, or as part of an iron collection.
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ML-MI-1
ML-MI-2
Plain Handle-----Good but with a few splits in the handle........$85.00
Horse Handle-------Excellent.........$295.00
Elegant
English Brass Goffering Iron This unusual antique is an
elegant English brass goffering iron. It dates from the 1800's and
would have been used to create a pattern of decorative ruffles or frills,
usually on the collars and cuffs of fancy clothing or outfits. Note the
graceful curving lines of the Queen Anne style tripod legs that form the base,
as well as the beautifully decorative turnings of the upright post that supports
the barrel. Goffering irons are typically found missing their heating
sticks, but this iron is complete with its "slug", which inserts into the barrel
to provide the heat. This iron is truly unusual and these are the type of
ironing artifacts that are rarely found except in long-time collections.
It has a lovely deep patina and is ready for display!
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SH-GI-1
Excellent........$450.00
Kennrick Goffering Iron
This is an elegant English iron goffering iron. It dates
from the 1800's and would have been used to create a pattern of decorative
ruffles or frills, usually on the collars and cuffs of fancy clothing or
outfits. It stands about 8" tall. It has great patina and is ready for display!
Click for Pic
ML-GI-1
Good+........$65.00
Carved
and Painted Scandinavian Mangle Board An incredible amount of
work and skill went into making this antique wooden mangle board. It is
beautifully and carefully carved in decorative patterns and designs, and painted
in reds and blues. It has a wonderful figural handle. Antique
smoothing boards were considered labors of love, and often given as a wedding or
engagement present from the future groom to his bride-to-be as a testament of
his love. Can you imagine getting something to iron with as a gift from
your fiancé! But I guess things were different back then, because
nowadays the worst thing you can do is give your wife something with an electric
cord on it for a present. This mangle board will look great in a
collection of folk art, or in an iron and laundry-related collection of
antiques.
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LCM-MI-1
Excellent.........$695.00
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