A vintage Danish cast iron rye bread slicer with white lacquer finish, steel blade, oak handle and birch boards, designed by Ove Larsen in 1956 for Raadvad Knivfabrik ('knife factory'), Denmark.

The guillotine-style bread slicer was a staple of the Danish home from the 19th century, and this 1950s reimagining by Ove Larsen, best known for his work with Bing & Grondahl ceramic, streamlines the style and the mechanics of its predecessors. It has a clever adjustable paddle that sets the thickness of the slice and rotates out of the way as the guillotine comes down so not to damage the bread as it falls.

As well as for cutting bread, these slicers are popular as cookbook shelves in domestic kitchens and as period decorative accessories in cafes and bakereries. We've even sold them to florists for trimming the stems of flower bunches!