European Mangle Boards: The Fascinating Folk Art of Smoothing Laundry
- Anne-Ki Magraff
- Jul 27, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Nov 5
Working at a museum sure has its perks! Every day brings the opportunity to learn something new about my Norwegian heritage, its customs, and traditions. If you want to learn more about Norwegian folk art, Ringerikes Museum, located an hour outside of Oslo, features several super interesting exhibitions that showcase Norwegian village culture.
Lately, I've been researching the trusted old mangle board, which was used well into the 19th century to smooth laundry. I can't believe everything I uncovered about the mangle boards' origins and use. It's both exciting and surprising!
Mangle Boards: The Art of Ironing with Love and Wood
Ringerikes Museum displays four very different mangle boards from various eras, the oldest of which dates back to the early 1700s. Mangle boards are an old-fashioned tool used to smooth (iron) linen. The oldest known mangle board is dated 1444 (found in Bergen, Norway), while the youngest one displayed at the museum is from the 19th century. We are talking about a household tool that has been used in Northern Europe and Scandinavia for over 400 years.
Mangle boards are genuine pieces of art. Some of the carvings are incredibly intricate, and others are pretty simple. But they all have a story to tell, a history to share, and a beauty to admire. Mangle boards are more than just wooden boards. They are expressions of love, culture, and tradition. In Norway, the mangle board was often made as a wedding proposal gift, which I find pretty amusing. Times sure have changed.
The boards, carved from a single piece of wood, were used in conjunction with a round wooden stick to smooth and roll cotton and linen, as well as to flatten textiles such as sheets, tablecloths, and clothing.
It was a handy tool, but also hard work and required skill. To smooth laundry with a mangle board, one had to balance the handle in one hand and press the board firmly on the roller with the other. The board had to glide smoothly and steadily over the roller without harming either the board or the fabric. The cloth had to be moist enough to be flattened but not too wet to create creases or marks. The mangle board was also bulky and cumbersome to work with, requiring a significant amount of time and energy to manage a laundry pile.
How an Old-Fashioned Iron Became a Symbol of Love
According to tradition, the young man who had his eye on a woman would express his love by crafting a mangle board with his own hands or hiring the best woodcarver in town. He would then leave it at her door, hoping to impress her with his devotion, wealth, and skill. If she were interested in the young man, she would welcome the mangle board into her home and her heart, cherishing it as a token of his love and a part of her future. It would then be hung on the wall or displayed with pride for all to see.
For hundreds of years, the practice of giving mangle boards to future brides was quite common in Norway. Although we know that Vikings along the coastlines of Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and Germany used mangle boards, it's not certain whether they were used as courtship gifts. The lack of decorative, symbolic carvings may suggest that the boards were viewed as practical tools.
Learning about things like this and how showing affection (even if the customs were much stricter regarding marriage) has always been relevant for humans is a good feeling. A great deal of thought and effort went into creating these boards, and I can only imagine what relics like these have witnessed over time.
Discover the Hidden Meanings and Stunning Artistry of European Mangle Board Handles and Symbols
The handles of mangle boards are a fascinating aspect of their design and meaning. They reveal the diverse and rich regional and cultural traditions of the woodworkers, suiters, and recipients of the boards.
In Norway and Sweden, the most common handle shape is the horse. The horse symbolizes strength, speed, and endurance, all desirable traits, especially in courtship. It may also tell the bride-to-be that the groom intends to provide her with a ride to their new household.
The mangle boards with horse handles were typically carved from a single piece of wood. However, there are examples of them being attached separately. Some handles depict the horse in detail, while others are abstract. And they were often painted blue, green, or red.
You won't believe the fantastic variety of handles that mangle boards have in different European countries. Lions, birds, flowers, hearts, and even mermaids adorn these wooden boards, each with a special meaning behind it. And each design had its own purpose. For example, the lion represented strength and courage, while the mermaid stood for fertility.
The board, or panel as some prefer to call it, of the mangle board is adorned with carvings. The carvings are a stunning display of the skill and imagination of their creators. Depending on the carver or woodworker, they can be simple or intricate. In addition, they unveil deep passions and dreams for potential future companions. Most mangle boards have dates, initials, names, or inscriptions carved into them, bringing them to life.
The initials on the board often represented the giver and the receiver. Hearts and flowers are also frequently found carved into the boards, as are scenes from everyday life or animals, such as deer. The carvings on the mangle boards are more than just eye-catching and elaborate. They are also full of meaning and stories that reveal the love and culture of their makers.
The Craftsmanship of Master Woodworkers was Exceptional
The craftsmanship of mangle boards is also evident in the choice and quality of the wood used to make them. Woodworkers often used local and readily available types of wood, such as pine, birch, oak, or maple. The wood must be carefully selected, dried, and prepared before it is carved. The wood also had to be durable and resistant to warping and cracking. The woodworkers often applied oil or wax to the finished mangle boards to protect them from moisture and insects.
All the relics shown in the post are displayed at Ringerikes Museum in Norway.
They utilized their skills, creativity, and cultural background to create beautiful and meaningful works of art. They carved and painted the handles and boards with various symbols and motifs that expressed their feelings and wishes for their loved ones. They also carefully chose and prepared the wood to ensure its durability and quality. Thus, they created mangle boards that were not only functional but also artistic and sentimental in nature.
The craftsmanship of mangle boards is a remarkable legacy that has endured for centuries. They allow us to travel back in time and discover the stories and cultures of our ancestors. They also show us how history is constantly evolving and changing.
Flat Irons vs. Mangle Boards
The late Middle Ages saw the emergence of flat irons, as skilled blacksmiths crafted these simple devices that could be heated over a fire or a stove. But they only became everyday household items in the early 19th century.
The mangle boards eventually gave way to flat irons. However, they were considered luxury items, used only by the aristocracy, before common folk started to use them. Just like today, it was a matter of money and accessibility.
Flat irons have a rich and intriguing history that warrants exploration in a separate post. It reveals how people have tried to make their clothes look neat for centuries. You might be surprised to learn some facts and anecdotes about these humble household appliances.
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