Mangle board

What is a mangle board?

A mangle board, called mangletre or manglebrett in Norwegian, is a hand tool for smoothing linen. Cloth was wound around a round roller, which was moved back and forth on a table under pressure from the board. The upper surface has a handle and may be richly decorated.

Household tool and gift

KUBEN describes mangle boards that also served as courtship or betrothal gifts. Names, initials, dates and carved ornament may relate to that use. Horse-shaped handles and chip carving occur, but a decorative form alone is not a reliable maker’s signature.

The museum’s material also includes imported boards. Norwegian ownership history therefore does not necessarily mean Norwegian manufacture.

Examining an older example

Record the top and underside, handle attachment, inscriptions and signs of repair or overpainting. Distinguish an inscribed date from a securely documented manufacturing date. Compare construction and ornament with several museum examples before suggesting a geographical origin.

See our wooden objects category.

Sources

KUBEN, Aust-Agder Museum and Archives: the mangle board as a betrothal gift and the variety of mangle boards.