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about the history, myths and construction of tramp art layers forming pyramids Tramp-art.comThere is a lot of confusion in defining tramp art and interpreting its history. Recent scholarship favors a narrow definition. The marketplace can be very inclusive--any unusual hand made item may be labeled tramp art. |
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Definition: Tramp art is a
woodworking style
popularized in the late 1800s and early 1900s characterized by the notch
carving and layering (pyramiding) of many small
pieces of wood for decorating a variety of objects. Recycled
wood from cigar boxes was typically used. Much
of the folk art of this period was made from scrounged materials and
tramp art provides us a lesson in recycling.
Crown Of Thorns, a different woodworking style entirely, has often been called tramp art |
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Origins & history; It is widely held that tramp art evolved from folk art chip carving traditions. The tramp art style is thought to have come from Germany & Scandinavia though there is no conclusive research documenting this claim. The craft was practiced and can be found in all of the industrialized nations of the early 1900s. This tramp art frame surrounds a wood carving that is "black forest" style and indicates the work is German or Swiss in origin. |
is "tramp art" a misnomer?There is mythology attached to tramp art. "Tramps and hobos made tramp art." Recent scholarship has questioned this assumption and found it largely untrue. visit our library learn what the experts have to say about tramp art In the late 1950’s, the name "tramp art" began appearing in literature to describe what had previously been called "CHIPWORK" The name "tramp art" stuck. Folk art authorities were never entirely pleased with all that is suggested by this term. Nevertheless, the myth was set. Tramps and hobos made "tramp art" to barter for room & board. By the 1970’s, a new interpretation appeared suggesting that tramps and the itinerant labor force of the early 1900’s made the objects and spread the craft. The latest research suggests that a large number of crafters were "grounded" in their communities, churches, occupations and families. These crafters could hardly be described as tramps or itinerants as they owned homes, paid taxes, had jobs and enjoyed the hobby of "chipwork.." |
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Our stereotypes of the tramp being lazy,
stupid, alcoholic, freight-train-jumping bums has much to do with
vaudeville, comedians & clowns. Yet there did develop a tramp or
hobo culture in the late 1800’s & well into the 1900’s. This
culture had a lot to do about railroads & developed it’s own sign
and spoken language, music, poetry, customs and rough justice
system. Americans were on the move, leaving farms, traveling north, south east
and west. Many used the railroads as later "hitchhikers" would
use the highway system. The railroads were the system that linked the
communities of America—all varieties of people thought little of
jumping a freight train for a free ride.
Was "tramp art" the folk art of these people? |
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recycling - tramp art materials: exceptions to the rule
 94-226 packing crate construction |
packing crates were a common alternative to using cigar boxes in crafting tramp art. Often the use of both materials can be found in the construction of a object. Before the days of cardboard boxes, wooden crates were the standard for shipping containers and, like cigar boxes, crates were " throw away" items that crafters harvested for the wood. |
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 93-108* |
A plywood tramp
art shadow box frame surrounds this 1950s picture of movie star,
June Allyson. The decorated mat that looks like "icing" is a
sculpted & colored salt mixture of some kind. Crafters are
never confined by materials and can be quite inventive as illustrated by
this example of tramp art.
* illustrated in Tramp art one notch at a time Wallach / Cornish p115 |
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This tramp art picture frame, constructed of corrugated cardboard, was made by F. Boisvert of Shawinigan, Quebec, in 1976. Paper and folded paper have also been used to make tramp art. |
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linoleum was an
unusual choice of material in crafting this tramp art crucifix. You wouldn't
know it but there is a secret compartment in the base. Other unusual
materials used in crafting tramp art include Birch bark, sheet metal and
whale bone.
* Illustrated in Tramp art one notch at a time Wallach / Cornish p145. |
 A reproduction, a casting, of a tramp art clock case |
tramp art reproductions & fakesAs antique tramp art becomes increasing popular, as demand limits supply and prices stress budgets, reproductions are entering the market place. An inexpensive gift line of tramp art items has been produced by "Midwest of Cannon Falls." Most of these items are molded from a composite material and include, a ditty box, small picture frames, Christmas ornaments, a dresser box with attached mirror and a clock case . These items, when handled, are easy to spot because of the heavy weight and that the items are not made out of layers of wood. There is no attempt to misrepresent the items by the manufacture or the gift shops that inventory this line. It's just a fact that "hot" and popular collectables are going to be reproduced. Part of connoisseurship is sorting the new from the old, using the same clues in analyzing any antique. As antique tramp art becomes more "main stream" and valuable, faking shall occur. It's hard to imagine a faker finding the old cigar boxes for materials, crafting an object, distressing the object and devising a finish to appear old AND turning a profit! If a tramp art item is not made from cigar boxes or old crate wood, a very careful examination to determine approximate age is required. So for the antique collector, "buyer beware." Learn about and handle tramp art. Ask questions! Collectors buying any type of antique on the internet and by mail should ask for a money back guarantee allowing for their satisfaction with the transaction. |
