{"product_id":"swedish-painted-folk-art-flax-scutching-knife-1846","title":"Swedish Painted Folk Art Flax Scutching Knife (Skäktkniv), dated 1846","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eA mid-19th-century Swedish wooden flax scutching knife, dated \u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e1846\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e, with original hand-painted folk decoration.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eTraditionally known in Sweden as a \u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eskäktkniv\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e, tools of this type were used during the preparation of flax for linen production. This example is particularly decorative, with a dark blue-green painted ground covered with hand-painted flowers and foliage in red, ochre, green and gold tones. The centre carries a decorative script inscription together with the clearly painted date \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e1846\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe shaped wooden blade has a carved integral handle with further painted and incised decoration. A lovely example of Scandinavian rural folk art combining an everyday working tool with personal decorative craftsmanship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDetails\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e 1846\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Sweden\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eType:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Flax scutching knife \/ Skäktkniv\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMaterials:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Carved and painted wood\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDecoration:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Hand-painted floral and foliate decoration\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGround Colour:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Dark blue-green\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eInscription:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Decorative script with the date 1846\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHandle:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Carved integral wooden handle with painted and incised decoration\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePurpose:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Traditionally used in the processing of flax fibres during linen production\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e W: 49cm x H: 22cm x D: 2cm\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition Notes:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Good original antique condition with considerable age-related wear, rubbing and losses to the painted decoration. Surface marks, small losses, cracking and wear to the edges are consistent with its age and original working use. The decoration retains strong colour and character. Please refer to photographs.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eProvenance \/ Story:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Sourced in Sweden. The painted decoration and dated inscription are characteristic of Scandinavian folk traditions where practical domestic and agricultural objects were often individually decorated.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCare Tips:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Dust gently with a soft dry cloth. Avoid water, cleaning products, wax or polish as these may affect the original painted surface.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"campbellscuriosities","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57885374415228,"sku":"RCC-1401","price":165.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0599\/9676\/6415\/files\/A7F70DB1-4B92-469A-8278-1F266718FA26.jpg?v=1792849061","url":"https:\/\/www.campbellscuriosities.co.uk\/products\/swedish-painted-folk-art-flax-scutching-knife-1846","provider":"campbellscuriosities","version":"1.0","type":"link"}