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| Intricately layered Tramp Art Box made of Walnut |
Mike and I were at an auction the other night when a "Tramp Art Box" came up for bid. At the time, I didn't know anything about "Tramp Art" but the name made me think of Gypsies. The box was a beautiful piece made from walnut with an intricate design carved on the top and the inside fitted with notched, slim pieces of wood to divide it into two parts. I began researching Tramp Art and found that while my idea that genuine "Gypsies" made the box might not necessarily be accurate, Tramp Art does have a fascinating history.
Tramp Art historically was an art movement that began around the time of the Civil War in the 1860's and continued through the 1930's. It is believed that this type of art was brought to the United States by German and Scandinavian wandering apprentices (known as Tramps). The artist used their imagination, whatever tools they could carry with them (often something as simple as a pocket knife), and made use of readily available items such as cigar or produce boxes to showcase their skills. The artist would carve out intricate, geometric shapes and designs. The methods used having been compared to the art of quilting, because the patterns were often intricately layered to create the final product. One method of creating Tramp Art is called the Crown of Thorns, "a woodworking technique using interlocking wooden pieces that are notched to intersect at right angles forming joints and self-supporting objects, objects that have a "prickly"and transparent quality. Common examples include wreath-shaped picture frames that look similar to Jesus' crown of thorns." (Definition taken from Wikepedia)
Each of the antique pieces of Tramp art represent many hours of skilled labor and imagination to produce a unique piece of art that has survived over time. These pieces might be tossed aside by many who do not recognize at first glance the hours of work involved and that the object has not been mass produced. Understanding the history of these pieces and paying attention to the details of their design brings a deep appreciation for this type of homespun art. Evidently the market agrees, for the prices of these items can be quite high if you are fortunate enough to come across them.
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| Tramp Art Picture Frame with Currier and Ives Print |
Reference and Additional Reading:
The History of Tramp Art
About Tramp Art