Let's wrap-up this short presentation on Oxford Corners with an Eastern European beauty, made in the Teens or Twenties. Marquetry stripes of contrasting woods are surrounded by notched chip-carving—providing a serrated "Tramp Art" effect.
Tramp Art is the popular name for notch-carved treatments on folk-crafted wooden objects. Traditionally, the items were assembled and carved from found objects: cigar boxes, fruit crates, scrap wood offcuts. The "romantic legend" implies that homeless men, in an attempt to make a bit of money, would scrounge for the recycled materials and craft the little wooden objects to sell. In truth, Tramp Art was probably more often a simple, low-cost handcraft practiced by hobbyists and boy scouts at home, at school or at summer camp. And one can find examples made in North America, Eastern and Western Europe.
Click on the photo above to learn more about this handsome frame—ready to preserve and present your favorite photo, sketch or painting.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
We also can be found in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248