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The Cigar Box "Tramp Art" of the Smithsonian Institution

"Cigar Box Chest," circa 1880-1920. Artist unknown

The Smithsonian Institution has just released over 28 million images into the public domain. We're currently going through all of them to reveal some great DIY discoveries for Cigar Box Nation.

(Extra: Scroll down to the bottom for video on how to create tramp art chipping)

“Tramp” art was created from old cigar boxes by tradesmen at the turn of the twentieth century. Craftsmen chip-carved the edges of pieces of wood and layered them together to create furniture, sculptures, and religious objects. The Crown of Thorns Construction is named because of the interlocking construction technique, which was supposed to represent Jesus’s crown when he was crucified (Helaine Fendelman, Tramp Art, 1975). These objects were not made by vagrants, but by traveling printers, carpenters, and cigar makers who “tramped” from city to city advertising their skills (Lynda Hartigan, Made with Passion, 1990).

"Cigar Box Crucifix," circa 1880-1920. Artist unknown.

"Cigar Box Pincushion," circa 1880-1920. Carved, stained and varnished wood with glass beads and velvet. Artist unknown.

"Tramp Art Church," Circa 1880-1920. Artist unknown.

Video Extra: How to Cut Tramp Art Chips

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Permalink Reply by 3 String Blues on February 26, 2020 at 1:57pm

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Permalink Reply by François on February 28, 2020 at 12:20pm

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Permalink Reply by KOOL DOG HOOCH on February 29, 2020 at 5:34am

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Permalink Reply by KOOL DOG HOOCH on February 29, 2020 at 5:40am

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Permalink Reply by Lynn Hagans on March 6, 2020 at 6:10pm

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Permalink Reply by Myron Joe Hickel on March 7, 2020 at 3:45am

Has anyone made a CBG in this style? If so I like to see it or a link to it, or I guess I could try to make one.

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Permalink Reply by Lynn Hagans on March 7, 2020 at 5:26am

Attachments:

Vagabond- Tree.jpg, 2.3 MB
P1030684 - Copy.JPG, 486 KB

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Permalink Reply by Wade on March 9, 2020 at 11:08am

Nice work!!!

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Permalink Reply by Lynn Hagans on March 9, 2020 at 2:11pm

Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Lynn Hagans on March 7, 2020 at 5:32am

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Permalink Reply by Myron Joe Hickel on March 7, 2020 at 8:50am

Lynn that is simply awesome. Now I have try to make one.

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Permalink Reply by Lynn Hagans on March 9, 2020 at 2:18pm

Thanks. They are time consuming, but pretty cool once they are finished. The thickness of the carved sides surprisingly doesn't seem to affect the tone much.