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An extraordinary example of late tramp art ingenuity, this wall-hanging “comb box” measures 15 x 10 x 4 inches and showcases a sophisticated geometric construction rarely seen in the form. Built using layered chip-carved techniques, its sharply faceted planes and angular tiers recall early Deco influences filtered through vernacular craftsmanship.
Painted in a refined palette of cream, mauve, tan, and mossy green, the surface reveals a complex rhythm of color and shadow—simultaneously architectural and ornamental. Likely dating from the 1930s–1940s, this piece exemplifies the creative evolution of tramp art as makers experimented with symmetry, color, and function.
Tramp art, a vernacular American craft that flourished from the 1870s through the 1940s, transformed humble materials like cigar boxes and fruit crates into intricately carved objects of devotion and ingenuity. Each piece was handmade with simple tools and immense patience, transforming the discarded into the extraordinary.