Tramp Art Boxes, Frames, Furniture, and More

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Tramp art child's dresser
Large tramp art child's dresser
Tramp art frame with birds
Tramp art frame with birds
Tramp art box
Tramp art box with elaborate decoration
Tramp art wall pocket with lovebirds
Tramp art wall pocket
with lovebirds, butterfly
Tramp art lamp
Tramp art lamp with clock, drawer,
carved birds, signed and dated
Extraordinary folding whimsy carving
Extraordinary, large, intricate folding whimsy:
all one piece, chip carved and decorated
Tramp art box
Tramp art box "A. O.", seven drawers
Tramp art bank
Tramp art bank, Lewiston, ME 1926
Octagonal tramp art box
Octagonal tramp art box with leaves
Tramp art box
Tramp art box with mirrors, 4 lids
Bottle whimsy
Bottle whimsy with tramp art pavilion
Tramp art box
Octagonal tramp art box
"From John to Mary 1921"
Tramp art wall box
Tramp art wall box
Art Deco dresser box
Art Deco dresser box,
layered, not chip carved
7 1/2 feet  high Crown of thorns
7 1/2 feet high Crown of thorns
hall stand with hearts
Painted tramp art box
Painted tramp art box
Miniature tramp art dresser
Miniature tramp art dresser

Tramp art child's dresserThis is a large tramp art child's dresser. It is heavily decorated with up to nine layers of chip carving, flat work on top, and a mirror. The three larger drawers have brass pulls, the two smaller drawers have wood knobs. There is also a "hidden" compartment on top with a lid that lifts off. From the early 1900's, it is 35 1/2" high by 16 1/2" wide by 10 1/2" deep. The condition is excellent, with a small sliver lost on the lower front and another on the lower back portion of one side, otherwise only slight surface wear. On the very top edge of the crest there are remnants of what may be a leather strip. The price is $2450.00. Inventory Code: CKPC.   Tramp art child's dresser ... Another angle ... Third view ... Side view ... The other side ... From above ... Closeup, upper front ... Closeup, middle front ... Another view, middle front ... Lower front ... Top crest ... Another closeup from above ... Closeup of base ... Closeup, one side ... The other side, top ... The other side, lower ... Back view ... Upper back ... Lower back ... Drawers open ... Upper drawers open ... Top compartment open ... With a yardstick and soda can for scale.

Tramp art frame with birdsThis is a tramp art frame with three carved birds on the top crest and several styles of chip carving. Probably from the 1920's or 30's, it is painted a very dark, old, oxidized gold. It measures 16 3/4" high by 11 3/4" wide, with an opening 6 3/4" by 4 3/4". It is in very good condition with very slight surface wear on the lower right and a tiny chip on the beak of one bird. Two of the birds have seams, we believe they were pieced together from smaller pieces of wood when they were carved. The price is $1200.00. Inventory Code: CKWW.   Tramp art frame with birds ... Another angle ... Closeup of top ... Closeup of lower ... Side view ... The other side ... From above ... From below ... Back view ... Closeup of back ... With a soda can for scale.

Tramp art boxThis is a fairly large tramp art box with elaborate decoration. It is made from cigar box wood over a crate wood base, partly lined with red fabric. The dark finish is finely alligatored. The lid is hinged. Inside, part of a crate stencil reads "Mansfield". It measures 14" wide by 8 3/4" high by 7" deep. The age is from the late 1800's or early 1900's. It is in very good condition with some slight surface wear. The price is $1250.00. Inventory Code: COWW.   Tramp art box ... Another angle ... From above ... Back view ... Side view ... The other side ... Lid open ... Another view open ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.

Tramp art boxThis is a striking tramp art box with seven drawers, decorative handles, built up feet, and the initials "A O". It is a medium brown, with the chip carved initials slightly lighter, finished in a somewhat glossy clear lacquer or varnish. The drawers are lined with purplish-red velvet. It is signed and dated on the bottom "Arthur Gruber 1931 Jan." There is a cigar box label visible inside that is from New Jersey. The size is 15 3/4" wide by 7 1/4" deep by 9 1/4" high. There is some minor loss on the back right corner and on two of the feet. Otherwise the condition is excellent. The price is $1250.00. Inventory Code: COWO.   Tramp art box ... Another angle ... From above ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... Closeup of the initials ... Closeup of loss ... Closeup of one foot ... Closeup of second foot ... From below ... Closeup of signature ... Drawers removed ... Closeup inside ... Front view in different light ... With a soda can for scale.

Octagonal tramp art boxThis is an unusual very nicely detailed octagonal tramp art box from about 1900. It is built with up to 11 layers of cigar box wood in several styles of chip carving. It also features carved leaves applied in the center of each side. The surface is a dark lacquer that shows some fine crazing in areas. The lid lifts off, and there are some pencil sketches of a heart, cross, and leaf on the underside of the lid. It measures 12 1/2" by 11", and stands 7" high. The box is in good condition. It has had some restoration. Most of it was very well done and hard to pick out. There is one pyramid on the lower edge that is an old replacement that does not match the rest of the work. The price is $1500.00. Inventory Code: CWAH.   Octagonal tramp art box with leaves ... Another angle ... Third view ... One end ... The other end ... From above ... Another view from above ... Lid open ... Inside of the lid ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Octagonal tramp art box with leaves ... Another angle ... Third view ... One end ... The other end ... From above ... Another view from above ... Lid open ... Inside of the lid ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.

Tramp art boxThis is an unusual tramp art box with four triangular hinged lids and eight small mirrors set into the sides and lids. From the early 1900's, it is built from alternating lighter and darker layers. The surface is very dry and oxidized. It is 9" high by 11 1/2" by 11 1/2". The condition is fairly good with some small areas of loss and surface wear. The price is $1250.00. Inventory Code: CWHK.   Tramp art box ... Another view ... From above ... One side ... Second side ... Third side ... Fourth side, with a soda can for scale ... Another view from above ... Two of the lids open ... Third lid open ... Fourth lid open ... From below.
Some much larger photos:   Tramp art box ... Another view ... From above ... One side ... Second side ... Third side ... Fourth side, with a soda can for scale ... Another view from above ... Two of the lids open ... Third lid open ... Fourth lid open ... From below.

Tramp art boxThis is a small octagonal tramp art box. It is built up from alternating shades of cigar box wood, with an intricate finial and three feet. An inscription on the bottom reads "From John to Mary 1921 120 Different Peices". The box stands 6 1/4" high by 5 1/2" by 5 1/2". It is in generally excellent condition. A crack in the finial has been reglued and there was a fabric hinge inside the lid which has been lost. The lid does not fit perfectly, this is how it was made. The price is $450.00. Inventory Code: CNCK.   Tramp art box ... The other side ... Third view ... Fourth view ... Fifth view ... Sixth view ... From above ... Lid open ... Closeup of lid ... From below, inscription ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Tramp art box ... The other side ... Third view ... Fourth view ... Fifth view ... Sixth view ... From above ... Lid open ... Closeup of lid ... From below, inscription ... With a soda can for scale.

Bottle whimsyThis is a very intricate bottle whimsy. It contains a pavilion with carved pillars and a tramp art roof. Inside the pavilion are a table covered with a fringed cloth with a large Bible on top, a sofa and chair with green velvet upholstery and white antimacassars, and a chip-carved piano with upholstered bench. There is a heavy paper flag on a carved wood flagpole. A chip-carved crest around the flag has names written in pencil. The pavilion is pieced from lighter and darker wood strips, and the roof is painted gold. The bottle is 11" high by 4 1/2" in diameter. The condition is excellent, and the age is probably early 1900's. The price is $1200.00. Inventory Code: CWHA.   Bottle whimsy ... Two sides ... Two more views ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... From above ... Another view from above ... From below ... Another view from below ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Bottle whimsy ... Two sides ... Two more views ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... From above ... Another view from above ... From below ... Another view from below ... With a soda can for scale.

Painted tramp art boxThis is a colorfully painted tramp art box with a drawer and hinged lid. The construction is unusual. The upper, hinged portion is built around a cardboard cigar box. This was surrounded with 1/2" thick boards at the sides and back to make it taller, a drawer added underneath, then the whole box was decorated with chip-carved wood layers, some in free-form shapes. It was painted in two shades of rose, blue, black, and brown, with each notch highlighted in dull gold. Metal tacks and handles complete the decoration. There is a label inside from a Pennsylvania cigar factory.

The box stands 8 3/4" tall by 11" wide by 6" deep. The condition is fairly good. There is some wear to the edges of the cardboard part, mainly visible in the top corners and the edge just above the drawer. See the photos for details. Also, the hinges have pulled away from the cardboard, so that the lid is only held on by the metal slider inside. It is from the mid-1900's. The price is $395.00. Inventory Code: CATS.   Painted tramp art box ... Front view ... Another angle ... From above ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... Lid open ... Open, from above ... With drawer removed ... The label inside ... Closeup of lid ... Another closeup ... Closeup of hinges ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Painted tramp art box ... Front view ... Another angle ... From above ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... Another closeup ... Closeup of hinges.

Miniature tramp art dresserThis is a tramp art miniature dresser. It has a drawer over two doors, decorated with flatwork, with three small mirrors set in. The surface is a dark, glossy lacquer or varnish. Inside are color labels from Red Lion Cigars, a Pennsylvania brand. It stands 10" high by 8 5/8" wide 6" deep. From the early 1900's, it is in excellent, near mint condition with some loss of silvering to the mirrors. The price is $475.00. Inventory Code: CKPS.   Miniature tramp art dresser ... Another angle ... Third view ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... Labels inside ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.

Tramp art wall pocket with lovebirdsThis is a polychrome tramp art wall box with kissing lovebirds at the top. There is also a butterfly decoration on the open pocket above the drawer. It is built from crate wood with a hand carved drawer handle. It is painted dark pumpkin, red and black and accented with dark metal tacks. Probably from the 1920's or 30's, it is in excellent, near mint condition. The size is 17 3/4" high by 13 1/2" side by 4 1/2" deep. The price is $725.00. Inventory Code: CHCK.   Tramp art wall pocket with lovebirds ... Two more angles ... With drawer open ... Side views ... From above and below ... Back ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Tramp art wall pocket with lovebirds ... Two more angles ... With drawer open ... Side views ... From above and below ... Back ... With a soda can for scale.

This is the largest and most outstanding piece of crown of thorns construction we have ever seen. It has five frames, a shelf, and a drawer. The construction is entirely crown of thorns - the only fasteners used are in the drawer and one of the frames. The drawer is notched out to slide into the interlocking pieces. Five sets of carved hearts are worked into the upper part.

It is made from unfinished pine, and stands 7 1/2 feet (90") high by 50" wide by 13" deep; the shelf is 39 1/2" wide. It is quite sturdy and functional - there is no problem with setting even fairly heavy things on the shelf.

This piece was found in Louisville, KY, probably made in that area around the turn of the century, and is in excellent condition. The person who found it, sitting in an attic covered with soot, turned a garden hose on it, and in the process, washed off much of the gesso from the large frame in the center. The resulting mottled surface, (while it looks good in our opinion), is obviously not in its original condition. The only other flaw is a missing drawer pull. We will be carving a replacement to match. There is no damage or loss to the crown of thorns. This is a spectacular and beautiful piece of furniture. The price is $12,500.00. Inventory Code: PKOK.   Front view ... One side ... The other side ... Closeup of carved hearts ... Closeup of top ... Details ... Drawer open, showing notching ... Upper half ... Lower half ... Bottom inside ... With Matt, to show scale.

Tramp art lampThis is a tramp art lamp with a clock and drawer. It is decorated with two carved birds at the top, hex signs, sun and moon designs on the sides, and other chip-carved designs. It was built from crate wood with a dark finish, and is inscribed on the bottom "Paul Venuto 1937 March 24". The clock is labeled "Conqueror", from Waterbury, CT, and does not run. When the drawer is removed you can see part of a crate label "Unity Extra". It is in excellent condition, the light is rewired and works, and the shade has been replaced. The size is 8" wide by 8" deep by 15 3/4" to the top of the wooden portion, or 22 3/4" high including the shade. The price is $795.00. Inventory Code: CHOC.   Tramp art lamp ... Closeup of birds, clock ... Closeup of drawer ... Two more angles ... Without the shade ... Two more angles without the shade ... Side views ... Drawer open ... Inside the drawer compartment ... Back view ... Closeup from back ... Inscription on bottom ... Light on ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Tramp art lamp ... Closeup of birds, clock ... Closeup of drawer ... Two more angles ... Without the shade ... Two more angles without the shade ... Side views ... Drawer open ... Inside the drawer compartment ... Back view ... Closeup from back ... Inscription on bottom ... Light on ... With a soda can for scale.

Art Deco dresser boxThis is a three drawer Art Deco style dresser box with unusual construction. The front, sides, back, and top are built up from strips of plywood. The strips were turned so that the edges of the layers show, giving an effect similar to inlay or matchstick work. It is also related to the "flat work" style of tramp art, except that the layers are not carved. The initials "M.E.C." are incised and then painted on the top. The back crest is cut out in steps, with incised lines. A mirror is set into the upper back. The box is finished in a light varnish, darkened slightly with age. It was made in the first half of the 20th century, and measures 10 3/4" high by 12" wide by 7 1/2" deep. The condition is excellent with the exception of a sliver missing from the top of the mirror and a little bit of the silvering, as seen in the closeup. The price is $325.00. Inventory Code: CATP.   Layered Art Deco dresser box ... Front view ... From above ... Another angle ... One side ... The other side ... Back view ... Another view from above ... Drawers open ... Closeup of the mirror ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Layered Art Deco dresser box ... Front view ... From above ... Another angle ... One side ... The other side ... Back view ... Another view from above.

Tramp art bankThis is a tramp art bank with a beautiful alligatored surface. It is dated 1926 on the top, with the words "Lewiston" and "Maine" painted on the long sides, and the initials "E" and "A" on the short ends. There is a slot in the top to put money in. A secret "puzzle" mechanism allows the bottom to be removed to empty. It measures 7 1/4" wide by 3 3/4" deep by 4" high. The box is in excellent condition with the exception that there may have been feet on the bottom originally. The price is $395.00. Inventory Code: COHS.   Tramp art bank ... One side ... The other side ... From above ... One end ... The other end ... Another view ... From below ... Another view from below ... Bottom removed ... Another view open ... With a soda can for scale.

Tramp art wall boxThis is a tramp art wall box. It has very fine workmanship and free form designs. It has a dark, rich surface with slight color variation in the woods used. A folded piece of cloth was tacked to the lower back to pad where it rests against the wall when hanging. It is from the early 1900's and measures 11 3/4" high by 7 3/4" wide by 4" deep. The condition is very good, with minor loss to the left front finial and slight surface wear on the sides and bottom lip. The price is $325.00. Inventory Code: CRRA.   Tramp art wall box ... Closeup ... Side view ... The other side ... From above ... From below ... Back view ... With a soda can for scale.

Extraordinary folding whimsy carvingThis is a really extraordinary, large whimsy carving - the most elaborate we have come across. It is a variation on the folding pliers carved from a single piece of wood, but when you unfold the pliers, each side unfolds into two more, which then unfold again, and again. Finally, many of the free ends are carved into hanging baskets. Again, this is all from one piece of wood.

The whimsy was then decorated by chip carving all of the edges and most of the larger flat surfaces in detail, giving it something of a tramp art effect. Finally, the surface was decorated with applied pieces of darker veneer, and colored ribbons and just a little glitter were added. The three largest joints were reinforced with nails.

When folded, the whole thing fits into an original, custom made wood box. The whimsy is 30 1/4" long by 2 3/4" by 1 3/4" when completely folded. When unfolded, it is about 22" high by 30" by 17". The box measures 31 3/4" long by 4 1/4" wide by 3 1/4" high.

It was made in the early 1900's and is in excellent condition. One of the small baskets is missing: the break is very old, and may even have happened while the carving was being made. Also one corner of the box lid is broken, and the box surface is somewhat worn. Otherwise, the carving itself is pristine. The price is $2800.00. Inventory Code: CTKH.   Intricate folding whimsy ... Another angle ... Folded up ... Open, another angle ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... Back, from above ... Partially folded ... Partially folded, another angle ... Folded, with box and lid ... Side and back views folded up ... Folded, in the box ... The box ... Closeup of the loss to the box ... Another side angle ... Other side, from above ... Closeup of top, partly folded ... Top, side view ... Closeup of top, folded ... Closeups, folded up ... Closeup center section ... Another closeup of middle ... Closeup of the feet ... Another closeup: missing small hanging basket would be on left ... Third closeup of feet ... With a soda can for scale ... In box, with a yardstick for scale.

Some much larger photos:   Intricate folding whimsy ... Another angle ... Folded up ... Open, another angle ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... Back, from above ... Partially folded ... Partially folded, another angle ... Folded, with box and lid ... Side and back views folded up ... Folded, in the box ... The box ... Closeup of the loss to the box ... Another side angle ... Other side, from above ... Closeup of top, partly folded ... Top, side view ... Closeup of top, folded ... Closeups, folded up ... Closeup center section ... Another closeup of middle ... Closeup of the feet ... Another closeup: missing small hanging basket would be on left ... Third closeup of feet ... With a soda can for scale ... In box, with a yardstick for scale.

 

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