#94-227 Faux tramp art box, obsessively carved
A rare and unusual 6-board lift top box which mimics the notches & layering of tramp art. Each of the 5 boards (4 sides & top) are obsessively carved from one piece of wood. Tramp art is characterized by notching and multiple layering and this meticulously carved-out box is whittled to look like notching and layering. This "over the top" carving was accomplished by an anonymous master carver and we can imagine that miniature chisels, such as those used by wood engravers might have been used, Pictured (a colored photograph of the back) in the book Tramp Art - One Notch At A Time by Wallach/Cornish, page 24. Carved lettering under tintype frames in front reads "Aurele Boissonneault." Box found in Canada where Boissonneault is a popular surname in Quebec.. Working lock with key. Original finish and in excellent condition. Lined with deteriorated green silk. 6-1/4" high x 11-1/2" wide x 7" deep. Offered at $1400
Detail of the front frames
On the top of the box is a small canvas (?) panel which has a small heart
shaped tear
