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Vintage Three-Pyramid-Top Tramp Art Chest, c. 1930s
Wood, chip-carved and layered
13 × 10 × 8 inches
A large and well-constructed tramp art chest distinguished by its three stepped pyramid finials and dense, geometric surface buildup. Built from reclaimed wood and assembled through labor-intensive layering, the chest exemplifies the defining characteristics of tramp art: repetitive chip or notch carving, an emphasis on symmetry, and the transformation of humble materials into highly worked decorative form.
Tramp art emerged in the United States in the late 19th century and remained popular through the 1940s. While its exact origins are unknown, the practice coincided with the widespread availability of wooden cigar boxes and shipping crates, which could not be reused by manufacturers and were therefore abundant. Makers—typically self-taught—used simple tools such as penknives and relied on patience, repetition, and hand labor rather than formal training. Although often associated with itinerant workers and tradesmen, tramp art was also made by individuals with permanent homes; what unites the objects is not circumstance but time, focus, and method.
This example’s bold architectural silhouette and deeply layered construction give it a sculptural presence that feels both utilitarian and obsessive—an object shaped as much by process as by purpose.
Very good vintage condition, with wear consistent with age and use.