Tramp art wall piece

NamePicture frame

Artist Artist Not Recorded

Date1890-1910

Place madeNorth America

MediumWood, paper, glass

DimensionsOverall: 2 9/16 x 19 5/16 x 13 3/8 in. (6.5 x 49 x 34 cm)

Credit LineMuseum of International Folk Art, IFAF Collection, gift of Eric Zafran, FA.2010.97.84

Object numberFA.2010.97.84

ProvenanceGotoff Collection, Chicago Clifford Wallach, New York Eric Zafran

DescriptionDark wood finely chip carved around pieces comprising work's lower 1/4, where five rounded chip carved pieces form tiers. Between them is a squared area. The bottom part of this has a postcard of the royal portrait of Tsar Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra, circa 1896. Above it are two small recessed squares separated by a "building" with ethed arch door. On second (mid) tier, the arched side niches are topped by three spires, the lower two with pyramid tops and the higher and larger with a finial. Between them and bordered on sides by pillared shapes is a cigarette "card" of an Irish woman with shamrock on sash and a green banner with Irish harp. This reproduction was part of the S. Anargyros Tobacco Co. "Flag Girls" series from circa 1905. The postcard and tobacco card were likely later additions. Topping the piece is a triangular form with five pillars, four with pyramidal tops and the highest with finial.