tramp art

noun

1. folk art of the 19th and 20th centuries utilizing recycled found materials, as cedar or mahogany cigar boxes, shaped into containers, lamps, picture frames, or other objects by a technique involving the gluing or nailing together of successive thin layers of wood that are then whittled into intricate geometric designs to produce a protruding multifaceted surface.

Other Word Forms

• tramp artist noun

Example Sentences

Still, what struck me even more than that was the unexpected richness of running my fingers along a notched “tramp art” cigar box, or feeling the slick surface of a Koranic writing tablet from Somalia.

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This space is featuring Harry Gould Harvey IV’s intricate and peculiar driftwood dioramas — tramp art à la Brancusi.

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“When tramps did it, it was called tramp art. Now, I just call it folk art.”

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The result, the Ken Fulk Collection, includes furniture such as cognac-colored tufted leather sofas, handsome brass lighting fixtures and accent pieces like a cast-iron elephant bust and a tramp art mirror.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Tramp art” has become collectable: hobos engraved cameos on nickels, made models with matchsticks and carved intricate designs on cigar boxes.

Read more on Economist