A beautifully carved Norwegian mangle board with horse-head handle — a traditional symbol of skill, devotion, and prosperity.
 
Material: Hand-carved wood
Size: ca. 69 cm long (approx. 27 in)
Decoration: Flowing acanthus scrolls, stylized flowers, textured details
Handle: Shaped as a stylized horse’s head, symbolizing strength and good fortune
Period: Likely 20th century, made as a decorative object rather than for daily use
Condition: Excellent vintage condition, with small loop at back for wall display
 
Historically, mangle boards (mangletre in Norwegian) were used with a rolling pin to press and smooth linen. Beyond their practical purpose, they became richly decorated works of folk art, often presented as courtship or wedding gifts — symbols of care, prosperity, and devotion within rural households.
 
This particular board, carved in light wood, shows fine craftsmanship with detailed acanthus scrolls, stylized flowers, and textured surface patterns. The horse-head handle is a classic motif in Norwegian mangle boards, carrying associations of strength, vitality, and good fortune.
 
Beautifully preserved and fitted with a loop for hanging, this mangle board is ideally suited as a decorative piece today. It carries forward a long-standing tradition of Norwegian folk artistry, making it a meaningful wall decoration, a distinctive housewarming gift, or a unique keepsake for a wedding or bridal shower — especially for someone with Norwegian heritage.