Tramp art boxes

Ornate tramp art sewing box	Dome top box	Box with two openings, hearts, fine workmanship	Pedestal box in brown and black
Large box with hidden keyhole, upholstered inside		Star-shaped tramp art box	Primitive tramp art planter made from crate wood
Box with feet, pincushion top		Layered box with tacks	Flat work box with hearts
Tramp Art Frames       Tramp Art Furniture, Other Forms       Religious Tramp Art

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.
Larger images:   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 a tramp art pedestal box, with alternating layers of brown and black. It has a very nice crazed lacquer finish. The box is built from crate wood, with thinner chip carved layers that are probably from cigar boxes. It has a wire loop handle, and unusual flat metal hinges. There is a chip missing from the back corner of the lid (see second closeup), and a spot of white paint on the base. Otherwise, the condition is very good, with only a few very tiny nicks. From the early 1900's, it measures 11 1/4" high by 11" wide by 7 1/2" deep. The price is $485.00. Inventory Code: THKW.   See a slideshow of several views [618k]
Tramp art pedestal box ... Another angle ... Closeup ... Back view ... Side views ... Top ... Another closeup ... Closeup of base ... Another closeup of base ... Lid open ... Lid open, from above ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
Larger images:   Tramp art pedestal box ... Another angle ... Closeup ... Back view ... Side views ... Top ... Another closeup ... Closeup of base ... Another closeup of base ... Lid open ... Lid open, from above ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.

This is a very nicely made tramp art box with two storage areas. It has detailed, small carving and is decorated with hearts, diamonds, and variously shaped pyramids. The top of the box lifts off to reveal a smaller storage area. This entire piece then also lifts off to expose another larger one. Both of these have remnants of cigar box labels and a tax stamp. There is also a wonderful colored cigar box label on the bottom.

The entire piece is constructed from cigar boxes and retains their original finish. Its overall size is 8" long by 5 1/4" deep by 5 3/4" high. The chipping is fine and even, very carefully done. This box is in extremely nice condition, with a wonderful feel; however it does have a little loss. On the back, two layers of pyramids on the lower box are long gone. It looks as though there may have also been some additional pyramids on the side as there are faint traces of a different color. The construction was glued layers, so there are no nail holes showing loss. The box was probably made in the early 1900's to about the 1920's or 30's. The price is $425.00. Inventory Code: THOA.   See a slideshow of several views [509k]
Tramp art box ... Another angle ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... From above ... Upper lid removed ... Both lids removed ... Open, from above ... Closeup, one side ... Closeup, other side ... Label on bottom ... With a soda can for scale.
Larger images:   Tramp art box ... Another angle ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... From above ... Upper lid removed ... Both lids removed ... Open, from above ... Closeup, one side ... Closeup, other side ... Label on bottom ... With a soda can for scale.

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.
Larger images:   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).

This is a very nice tramp art box. It is done in a style known as "flat work", and includes two carved and inlaid hearts, a sunburst, two eight pointed stars, and four elongated diamonds. The box is built up from one and a half cigar boxes. There are two round medallions missing from the two ends. Otherwise it is in excellent condition, but has no lid. There are several different tones and colors which show the various woods incorporated in the box. It is finished with a clear lacquer. The size is 6 3/4" long, 5 3/4" deep, and 4 1/4" high. It was made in the early 1900's. The price is $175.00. Inventory Code: AWHC. Overall Image ... Different overall ... Back ... Side 1 ... Side 2 ... Top down ... Inside ...Bottom.     Larger, more detailed views: Overall Image ... Different overall ... Back ... Side 1 ... Side 2 ... Top down ... Inside ...Bottom.

This is a tramp art planter made from crate wood. It is more crude than refined, having large notches in layers of thick, old, wood. The planter is about 13" high. It is about 16" wide by 14" deep at the center and 7" square on the base. The opening is 7 1/2" by 8 1/2" by 7" deep. Each of the 7 layers is about 1/2" thick. The planter is in good sturdy condition. There is some old loss apparent to one of layers inside the box. The outside has no loss, a few nicks, and traces of white, likely remnants of paint, on the medium dark brown surface. It is probably from the 1930's or 40's. The price is $225.00. Inventory Code: TWSK.   Tramp art planter ... Another view ... Second side ... Third side ... Fourth side ... Closeup ... From above ... Another view from above ... Top view ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
Larger images:   Tramp art planter ... Another view ... Second side ... Third side ... Fourth side ... Closeup ... From above ... Another view from above ... Top view ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.

Here is a tramp art box with a dome top and leaf decoration. The hinges are hand made from cut and folded sheet metal, probably a can. An inscription in pencil on the bottom reads "Lake City, Fla. Jan 1941 Thursday, From Uncle Frans to Ruth". The natural surface is nicely oxidized. There is one crack in the top layer of the lid, where it was bent around the curve, otherwise very good condition with no loss. It is 4" high by 5 1/2" wide by 4 1/4" deep. The price is $185.00. Inventory Code: AWPA. Image ... Front ... Top ... Back ... Bottom ... Open    Larger images:   Image ... Front ... Top ... Back ... Bottom ... Open

This is a large, well-made tramp art box with outstanding extra details. A small, removable sliding piece hides the keyhole in the front. The inside is padded and upholstered with rose-colored fabric studded with numerous fabric-covered buttons. Two large upholstery needles were left in the lining. A metal handle is set into the top. The key is missing: the box will open and close but not lock. The condition is very good: one small tip is missing on the top, and two layers of a pyramid on the side have loss from their tips. Both are old breaks, hardly noticeable, otherwise it is very clean with a good surface. The box was made c. 1900, and measures 17" wide by 9 1/4" high by 11 1/2" deep. The price is $1,050.00. Inventory Code: THTP.   Tramp art box ... Another view ... The inside ... Side view ... The other side ... Back ... From above ... Lid open ... Closeups of the hidden keyhole ... Closeups of the sliding piece ... Closeups of the front ... Closeup of the top ... From below ... Another overall view ... With a soda can for scale.
Larger images:   Tramp art box ... Another view ... The inside ... Side view ... The other side ... Back ... From above ... Lid open ... Closeups of the hidden keyhole ... Closeups of the sliding piece ... Closeups of the front ... Closeup of the top ... From below ... Another overall view ... With a soda can for scale.

This well decorated tramp art box is 4" high by 13" wide by 6 3/4" deep. C. 1930's, it is painted an oxidized gold, with a few little more recent touch-ups. It has feet and a hinged lid with a pincushion on top; it is not built up on the back. The fabric of the pincushion is worn, the box is in very good condition. The price is $350.00. Inventory Code: PKOA.   From above ... Front view.    Larger images:   From above ... Front view.

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.

Larger images:   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.

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