Key chain features a handcrafted lead free pewter icon and measures 3.25" tall and 1.5" wide
This design was inspired by a chip carving from a mangletre found in Gudbrandsdal, Norway. Because of the romantic tradition associated with the mangletre, this item would make an elegant Valentine's Day gift, engagement gift, wedding gift or bridesmaid gift.
If you like this icon, then you may be interested in Sterling silver pendants and earrings with this design. This icon is also available on wine bottle stoppers, wine charms and zipper pulls for your favorite Norwegian sweater or jacket.
The Mangletre and its tradition
The Norwegian Mangletre, called “Mangle Board” in English, was a long flat board with a single horse-shaped handle. In antiquity, it was used to roll the wrinkles from linen cloth which had been wound on a round dowel. Mangle boards could be very plain, or very complex with wonderful chip carving over the entire board.
Mangle boards were also used as betrothal gifts. The story is that a young man would make a mangle board for the woman he hoped to marry. He would carve a design on the board and then hang the finished mangle board on the door of the house where his sweetheart lived. She would bring the board into the house, if she accepted his proposal. If she refused his betrothal, she would leave the board hanging on the door.
The man could not use the same mangle board for the next woman that he proposed to, so he had to carve and design a whole new one. They say the best wood carvers in Norway were bachelors because of having to continually carve new boards.
