Religious Tramp Art

	Tramp art and matchstick shrine		Tramp art shrine
Tramp art crucifix shrine	Crown of thorns crucifix	Finely decorated cross
Tramp Art Frames       Tramp Art Boxes       Tramp Art Furniture, Other Forms

This is a very strange lighted shrine that combines chip carved tramp art, found objects, and matchstick inlay. A black priest stands behind the altar, flanked by smaller black and white figures. A worshipper kneels in front of the altar, being blessed by the figure of a crowned and robed saint. The altar is built up from chip carved matchsticks, with chairs and steps made with added heavy copper wire and glossy fabric. The base and back are completely covered with matchsticks, including on the back and bottom. The heart-shaped back has several layers of tramp art around the edge, and a tramp art frame with glass, topped with a glitter cross, set in the center. The back of the frame is hinged to insert a picture. There is a tramp art arch decorated with large artificial roses in the front, and tramp art edging around the base. It has a socket on the back, but does not have the cord to plug in. When we tested the connections, two of the three lights lit. We do not recommend the wiring, because we cannot see why the third bulb does not light. This shrine was probably made in the 1960's or 70's. It is 16 1/4" high by 14 1/2" wide by 11 1/2" deep. The cord is missing, as are a few pieces here and there, but it is in overall good condition ready to display. The price is $325.00. Inventory Code: TSWA.   Tramp art and matchstick shrine ... Front view ... Closeup ... Second closeup ... Third closeup ... From above ... Another view from above ... Side view ... The other side ... Closeup of front arch ... Top and frame area ... The altar ... Closeup from behind ... Another view from behind ... Back overall ... From below.
Larger images:   Tramp art and matchstick shrine ... Front view ... Closeup ... Second closeup ... Third closeup ... From above ... Another view from above ... Side view ... The other side ... Closeup of front arch ... Top and frame area ... The altar ... Closeup from behind ... Another view from behind ... Back overall ... From below.

This is an exceptional, fairly large, and very detailed, tramp art shrine. It was made in the 1950's for a family who kept it in special room in the back of their hardware store, and used it as a private shrine. This was in a tiny town about 50 miles east of Ottawa, Canada. It is made of pine with great care, chip carved, layered, and painted in what is now a nicely oxidized gold. Many of the pieces are also relief carved in geometric patterns. It is 36 12" high, 24 1/2" wide, and 12 1/2" deep. This shrine has a center glassed, satin lined niche. This contains a plaster Madonna and is decorated with fabric roses and garland. The corners of the glass, which is 7 1/2" by 12", are painted with flowers. The overall condition of this shrine is excellent and sturdy. However 3 of the lower triangular "points" have been restored. They are virtually indistinguishable from the original. It is a wonderful and rare piece. The price is: $2500.00. Inventory Code: ATAS.   Overall view ... One 3/4 view ... View from the other side ... The back ... Front view showing scale with a yardstick ... This next set of images are larger and more detailed. A 3/4 view ... Overall view ... Side view ... The following are even more detailed close-ups. Top 1/3 ... Bottom 2/3 ... Top 1/3 (Larger) ... Bottom 2/3 (Larger).

This is a large tramp art crucifix with very fine workmanship, from Belgium. The cross is built up in eight layers, the base in seven to nine layers, with three-layered feet. It is decorated with metal tacks, and has a chip-carved ladder and tongs. There are remnants of a medium lacquer finish, and also areas of white and black paint, giving an unusual, textured surface. The back has remnants of elaborate cigar box labels. It dates from the late 1800's to about 1900, and stands 25" high by 13" wide by 5" deep. The condition can only be described as poor: one of the four "rays" is missing, there are several smaller chips missing, and there was probably a corpus originally. In spite of the condition, the look and overall effect are very strong, and it remains a beautiful object as it is. The price is $250.00. Inventory Code: APAK.   Tramp art cross ... Two more angles ... Side views ... Closeup of the top ... A closer view of the top ... Closeup of the base ... The base, from above ... Side views of the base ... Another side view of the base ... Back view ... Closeup, upper back ... A closer view of the back ... Closeup, lower back ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
Larger images:   Tramp art cross ... Two more angles ... Side views ... Closeup of the top ... A closer view of the top ... Closeup of the base ... The base, from above ... Side views of the base ... Another side view of the base ... Back view ... Closeup, upper back ... A closer view of the back ... Closeup, lower back ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.

This is an extremely unusual, small and intricate tramp art display case. It has a hinged door with glass, and glass on the other three sides. The case contains a crucifixion scene, and includes many carved wooden tools associated with the crucifixion. It also has three lithographs representing Jesus and the two thieves (although they all seem to be Jesus). The case is topped with a cross and has an ornate finial and other details. It is finished in an old, oxidized gold paint, and was likely made around C. 1920's. The case is about 11 1/2" to the top of the cross, by 5 1/2" wide and 4" deep. It is not in perfect condition, as it has quite a lot of bits and pieces of loss. Obviously, this is a consideration, but in balance, is clearly outweighed by the rarity of this one-of-a-kind piece. The price is $350.00. Inventory Code: AKAO.   Image ... 3/4 view ... Another view from above ... From above ... One side ... The other side ... Back ... Another angle ... Closeup front ... Closeup back ... Closeup one side ... Closeup the other side.    Larger images:   Image ... 3/4 view ... Another view from above ... From above ... One side ... The other side ... Back ... Another angle ... Closeup front ... Closeup back ... Closeup one side ... Closeup the other side.

This is an especially nice and intricate crown of thorns cross with a folky wood carving of Jesus. The entire assemblage is 15 1/4" high, 12" wide, and 6 1/2" deep. Jesus is about 7" high, 4" wide, and an inch deep. This piece is in excellent condition, with no loss. The surface of the carved Jesus is unfinished, while the rest of the construction has a light layer of a clear coat. There are some few areas, notably on top of the two side pieces, where the finish is somewhat heavier. This unusual piece is not exceptionally old, perhaps being made in the 1980's. The price is $225.00. Inventory Code: AKAT.   Image ... 3/4 view ... Another angle ... Closeup ... Closeup from above ... One side ... The other side ... From above ... Back view ... From below ... Bottom.
Larger images:   Image ... 3/4 view ... Another angle ... Closeup ... Closeup from above ... One side ... The other side ... From above ... Back view ... From below ... Bottom.

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