Folk art, antiques, and outsider art Tramp Art Boxes
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This is an exceptionally nice and unusual handmade, one-of-a-kind dresser piece, with two sections that open for storage. While it has a fraternal look, it may very well have been made for personal use. This piece is made from various woods, two old mirrors, came from Pennsylvania and is dated 1913. The base is plywood while the rest seems to be two or more softwoods. Overall, this construction is about 10 1/4" high. The base is about 5 1/2" by 8" and the legs extend out to 9 1/2" wide by 7" deep. One of the legs has a barely visible crack underneath that was reglued years ago. The very top of the box is decorated with a carved and open book. This has the words Holy Bible spelled with individually carved and applied letters, 3 of which are long gone. The lid opens to reveal a storage area lined with black velvet and a mirror, which has lost much of the silvering. The front of this section has a mirror inserted in a framed portion, the corners of which are carved like supports similar to those which are below. The bottom box also has a hinged top, which opens to reveal a second and smaller storage area. The very top of this box is also relief carved into a decorative form and has the letters "E" and "H" applied - although the "H" is also long gone. The wood seems to have been finished with some stain and a very light varnish or lacquer, and the surface has taken on a very nice and rich patina with fine crazing. While there is a little wear from use and some surface cracks in the plywood this is in overall very good condition and has a wonderful look. The price is $575.00. Inventory Code: CSPO. 
See a slideshow of several views [1.1Mb] ... Carved dresser box ... Another angle ... A third view ... Side views ... Back view ... Another back view ... Closeup of the top ... Closeup of the lower compartment ... A third closeup ... With lids open ... The mirror inside the lid ... The lower compartment, open ... Inside the upper compartment ... Closeup from back ... Another closeup, back ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos: Carved dresser box ... A different view ... Side views ... Back view ... Closeup of the top ... Closeup of the lower compartment ... Closeup from back ... From above ... With a soda can for scale.
This is a tramp art wall box in very nice black and gold paint. It is built up in two to five layers, and embellished with scalloped edges and a variety of chip carving techniques. Each chip, and all of the edges are carefully highlighted with gold, which stands out against the black background. It is built from crate wood, and measures 11 1/4" high by 7 3/4" wide by 4" deep. The condition is very good, with a couple of very small scuffs on the front and on one side. Age is likely to be from the 1920's to the 40's. The price is $225.00. Inventory Code: CSSW. See a slideshow of several views [326k] ... Tramp art wall pocket ... Side views ... From below ... From above ... Back view ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos: Tramp art wall pocket ... Side views.
This is a hand painted roller skate case, decorated with stickers from roller rinks across Michigan and Ohio. The front has a painted roller skate with wings, and the inscriptions "Eddie" and "Grand Rapids Michigan". The fabric-lined interior has a sticker from Skateland Cleveland Roller Club, with the owner's name and address penciled in. The case is 14" wide by 11 3/4" high by 4 3/4" deep. It is in fair condition, with minor wear to the case, some water staining inside, loss of fabric inside, and loss to many of the stickers. The paint is still strong, and the overall look is great fun. The case and decoration probably date from the 1940's, maybe 50's. The price is $195.00. Inventory Code: TRAA. See a slideshow of several views [592k] ... Decorated roller skate box ... The other side ... From above ... Another angle ... Side views ... Closeup ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup of side ... Inside the case ... Closeup inside ... The inside from above ... Overall, top view ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
This is a home made wood fuse box with "DANGER" and other carvings. It is put together from thick pine boards and painted an old white which has crackled. The front of the box has a carved "X", other initials including a backward "N", and second "X" made into a stylized person with a head and face. Inside, the box still contains an old porcelain switch with two places for screw fuses - one of which remains. The box has a slant top which indicates it was likely used outside. It also has an old padlock (no key) that secured it. Each of the front doors can be opened, revealing an area suitable for storage. The front of the box is about 17 1/2" to the top by 13 3/4" wide. It is 7 1/2" deep and the top is 13 1/2" high in the back. This unusual piece was probably made around 1940 or earlier. There are no hinges on the left door. This is held on by the lock. It may originally have been constructed so there was only one wide front door hinged on the right, and at one time, long ago, was cut in two in the center. The box has some wear, loss, and soil; but is sturdy, very usable, and a real one-of-a-kind piece. It makes a great small cabinet. The price is $245.00. Inventory Code: TWWH. Primitive carved fuse box ... Another angle ... Closeup ... A third view ... Side views ... Closeup of the front ... Closeup "Danger" ... Closeup of the face ... Closeup of the lock ... Closeup of the side ... Doors open ... Closeup inside ... Another closeup inside ... Back ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
This is a rustic and primitive fisherman's holding box. It came from Maine and was apparently used for many years. The catch would be put here and the box put in the water, held to the boat by the long metal chain. Now, as a decorative and unusual storage box, it could hold newspapers, magazines, or general items - inserted through the hinged opening in the back. The box is made from pine, with old iron reinforcing corners and strap hinges. It was painted white, likely over black paint or sealer. The box is in good sturdy condition with no rot or soft spots. Obviously used, the white paint is worn, splotchy, and shows some of black. The surface shows in the photos. This box was likely made between the 1920's and 40's. It is about 23 1/2" high by 12 1/4" wide by 9" deep. The price is $125.00. Inventory Code: TARO. See a slideshow of several views [402k] ... Primitive fishing box ... Two more angles ... Front view ... Back view ... Side views ... Closeup ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup of top ... With lid open ... Closeup of opening ... Another overall view ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
This is a nice old 6 drawer box decorated primarily in green, red, and blue paints with some touches of old yellow and dark gold. The back is painted in a sort of dark whitish-cream. The box is about 12 1/4" high by 12" deep and 10 1/4" wide. It and the drawers are made from crate wood and pine. The drawer pulls are old turned knobs. One of the drawers has an old fruit label on the side and one has crate markings on the bottom. It is likely that this piece was made about the 1930's or 40's and then possibly repainted one or more times. However, we are unsure of that, and certainly the surface is good and seems not new. Indeed, the knobs, back, and maybe the red border trim appear old while some of the decorative touches may be more recent. We just don't know, though. The box is in very good condition with an age split across the top and a few tiny nicks in the paint. It has an extremely nice look and size. The price is $285.00. Inventory Code: THOC. Painted chest of drawers ... Another view ... Front view ... One side ... The other side ... From above ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... Closeup from above ... With drawers open ... Another overall view ... Back ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
This is a very ornate and highly decorated tramp art sewing box. It is fairly large, being about 11 1/2" long by 9 1/2" wide by 6" high including the pin cushion. The box is well made and includes many types of layered design. They include hearts, triangular, round, semi-circular, and elongated pyramids, as well as some more free-form and scalloped shapes. The top of the box is carved with a flowing roundish taper. It has an old lock, but no key. The open box reveals an inner storage area lined in dark red velvet. There is also an oval mirror in the top. This is set inside an oval chip carved frame. The box is in very good condition. It has no obvious loss of pieces and only some slight wear and loss to a little of the finish. It was likely made in the late 1800's, and the surface has taken on a nice rich dark patina. The price is $525.00. Inventory Code: THKO. See a slideshow of several views [787k] ... Tramp art sewing box ... Front view ... Another angle ... Top view ... One side ... The other side ... Back view ... Closeup of front ... Lid open ... Closeup of back ... Another overall view ... A different angle ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
This is an inlaid dresser box with two frames which swivel. It is decorated with 10 carved and applied hearts. The box is made from pine and a hardwood (seems like oak) which have been stained in four different tones. The surface has been lightly varnished. The inside of the drawer is plywood. This decorative piece is in generally very good condition. There are 3 slight and tight splits one either side of the drawer and in the little blocks in front of the supports. The piece is about 13" wide, 12 5/8" high, and 6" deep. The openings in the frame are 3" by 4 1/2". This attractive box was made about 1950 or a bit later. The price is $195.00. Inventory Code: AKHP. Miniature dresser with hearts ... Another view ... Closeup ... Second closeup ... Side view ... With drawer open ... 3/4 view ... From above ... Back ... From below.
This is a unique jewelry box, carved from a single piece of pine. It has an organic, somewhat modernistic form. The drawers are lined with brown felt, and the back is covered with paper. The surface is stained with varying shades of medium brown. It stands 10 1/4" high by 5 1/4" wide by 3" deep. The condition is excellent: the one chip on the lower corner was apparently done when the piece was originally made. It made in the latter half of the 20th century. The price is $145.00. Inventory Code: TSOS. Carved jewelry box ... Another view ... Front view ... One side ... The other side ... With drawers open ... With drawers removed ... From above ... Back.
This is an extremely nice hand carved pine box. It includes deep relief carving of a sun with rays, clouds, hills, a fence, birds, a flower (with a bit of green paint), and the word "Tips". It has a slot through which the tips could be dropped. The box is in excellent old condition, with a nice natural patina. It is 8 1/2" square and 5" high. It was made around the 1960's, and has all the original hardware. The price is $140.00. Inventory Code: AAOA. Top view ... Front ... Back.
Here is a nice box with dovetailed joints and applied handles. The lid is hinged. It has a very light matte varnish finish, and is 12 3/4" long by 3 5/8" high by 6" deep, in excellent condition. This box came from in Florida, and was made in the 1940's or 50's. We also have several small carvings by the same maker. The price is $85.00. Inventory Code: AARC. Image.
Here is a nice folky wall box made from scrap wood, decorated with large tacks that are painted green and cream with traces of red over them. The box itself may have been a cheese box or simply odds and ends of crate wood. It is simple yet elegant. This piece is painted in a red enamel. It is 7 1/2" high by 9 1/4" wide by 3 1/2" deep, was made about the 1940's, and is in excellent condition. The price is $140.00. Inventory Code: PROT. Painted wall box ... Another angle ... Side views ... Back view ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
This is a very unusual, folk art box done in a layered, tramp art style. It is made from cigar box wood, and decorated with shaped, built-up layers and tacks. It has a dark lacquer finish and small handles on each side. The finish, which varies in shades, is darkest on the top and also has reddish tones which show more on all the sides. Inside are one large and four small compartments. The box is 18 1/2" side, 5 1/2" deep, and 4" high. The legs are actually applied on the the outside. The condition is fairly good; however it does have a few cracks and chips. There is also some loss to the back left corner of the top and the bottom outer portions of the legs on the left side. This box was likely made in the late 1800's or to as recently as around 1900. The price is $285.00. Inventory Code: PWHP. Layered box ... Top view ... Front view ... Closeup (shows surface, color best) ... Another overall view ... 3/4 view ... Back view ... One end ... The other end ... End view, from above ... Open, showing compartments inside.
This is a star-shaped tramp art box in mustard paint. It is made in two pieces that pivot through one point so that the box can swivel open to reveal a small compartment in the center. This box was found in Texas, and appears to be from the early to mid 20th century. However, we have learned that similar pieces were being made in New York more recently. It is in very good condition, with some paint wear, a good surface, and no visible breaks or missing pieces. It measures 4 1/2" across, (either from point to point or "standing up" as a star) by 1 1/4" high. The price is $210.00. Inventory Code: TCKT. Star-shaped tramp art box ... Partially open ... Halfway open ... Completely open, with a nickel for scale ... From above ... From below ... Open, from below ... Open, from the side ... Back view ... A short video of the motion (1.5 Mb).
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