Featured Update on a special Norwegian cake spade:

A few years ago I ran across a piece unlike any I'd seen before, fell in love and snatched it up. Shown here before, it's a cake spade made by Th. Olsen of Bergen, with the sweetest little chunky Fjord Horse, it reminded me of traditional Norwegian horse-handled mangle boards (used with a roller to press linens), an object I've long desired. Still haven't run across anything like it and decided to email Arven, the new name given the firm after it was sold in 2016, having been in the hands of the Aase family since 1904 - they've shown great respect to Th. Olsen's history.

Just a few days after my email, received this response:

Hei Cheryl,

Thank you for contacting us!

I have done some research with my colleagues, and we can not remember this item. We do not believe that this was made often, maybe just one- or two times and made for a special event.

So sorry that we couldn’t help you with this!

Wishing you a lovely day!


I assured her that I was grateful and that for me, it was enough to know that it's as uncommon as I thought...















Comparisons to 18th and 19th century Norwegian mangle boards:







Norwegian Fjord Horse:




~Cheryl

 

How beautiful! (Both your lovely cake spade and the majestic horses!)

 

excellent research Dragon !!!!

 

I love that. What a special piece.

 

Thanks! It is absolutely one of my favorite pieces, how often do you find silverware with so much personality?

~Cheryl

 

Displayable, usable & fabulous

 

Majestic find.

 

That is soooooo cute and beautifully done!

 

Hehe, "cute" isn't typically used referring to flatware, but so totally true for this piece - makes me smile every time I look at it...

~Cheryl

 

Stunner!

 

I love Dala horses. Lucky you! But, mangle boards? Wow! That's a new term. I would think a device for pressing clothes would un-mangle them!

 

I have a 2 Dala horses from estate sales.

 

Chonky horses are always cute!

Wiki for Mangle has photos of these, one in use, and a history of the word. I always found it interesting that our understanding of the word evolved into what can happen to an object (or hand! ) in the mechanical kind....and then a general word for destruction. A gruesome reminder of why we have safety laws now.

 

ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!! SOOOO Special!!!

 

Yet another piece that you posted which I've never seen before and probably never will, but hope to someday (although not in this corner of the planet). It's just fantastic!

 

Norwegian silver is always special, but this is the most delightful piece of Norwegian silver I have ever seen. And as always, perfectly executed, a true asset to your amazing collection.

I can imagine. One of those things that needs a central place of display, not only because of its beauty, but also because it lifts the mood.

 

So true - when I had horses, also had the cutest (and toughest) rotund little paint Shetland Pony.

Thanks, Aqui - appreciate the enthusiasm!!!

Awww, thanks Ola - so glad you like it.

Thank you, AJ - high praise from someone with an eye like yours! And of course I share your opinion of Norwegian silver - love Scandinavian silver in general, but the majority in my collection is Norwegian...


~Cheryl

 

I never thought about the danger to hands!! I'll stick with my wrinkled shirts!

 

..& isn't this why we collect our precious items?