Huge Bread Knife, Solid Elm And Cut Wrought Iron, 18th Century,

A high-quality antique bakery or kitchen cutting board made from  solid elm and featuring remarkable cut and forged ironwork. This imposing primitive ar consists of a wide cutting board whose upper edge is scalloped and reinforced with cut-out wrought-iron supports.
The heavy iron cleaver, large dimensions (64 cm, weight 1.4 kg), pivots freely on a forged axle topped by a scalloped plaque.
Its adjustment is controlled by two superb forged wing nuts, which are both decorative and functional.
Blade features an openwork decoration on upper part as well as a beautiful cutler’s mark stamped “C★B.”
It is fitted by a turned wooden handle with an iron ferrule; note as, minor crack from use that does not affect its function.
A curved, screw-mounted iron reinforcement has been added on base of board to prevent the wood from splitting and to ensure the overall sturdiness of the piece.
Made in German-speaking Switzerland, late18th century,
Height: 79 cm, Width: 35 cm, Thickness: 7 cm, Weight: approximately 5 kg.  In good overall condition and shows normal signs of use.
This authentic piece, nearly two and a half centuries old, exhibits wear consistent with its age; I note the presence of old woodworm holes;