Chipwork vs. Tramp Art

This "chipwork" cathedral is just one example of the diversity and creativity typically shown in Tramp Art.

Editor’s Note: In the world of Tramp Art, there are few names more recognizable than John and Linda Sholl of Sholl Antiques of Norwood, NY. Since this highly collectible and much-sought after style of antique shows no signs of waning, and we have from time to time received questions from curious collectors asking for a bit more information on the form, we decided to ask an expert to give us a little taste of what exactly “Tramp Art” is and what the style meant to them. John Sholl kindly responded with an insightful and free-form response that is entirely appropriate to the kind of work that he and his wife are known for.
By John Sholl
Over-ornamentation and love tokens? Highly decorated and gifts?
No, not our Christmas tree surrounded by presents, rather our obsession, turned business, going on two decades, where wife Linda and I have become specialists in Chipwork.
Most might call this vintage folk craft “tramp art,” but we prefer the prior name that appeared in magazines of the 1930s.
Chipwork, describing those woodworking projects that required scrounging for old cigar boxes for lumber, precisely notching and decorating the edges of said lumber and then, like the pyramids of Egypt, assembling layer upon layer of the chip decorated wood into designs and patterns. Design and patterns so highly decorated that the craft was “over the top,” even for the Victorians whose tastes went toward the extremes.
The “love tokens,” being, picture frames for photographs (photography was invented and popularized during these times) that frugal crafters fashioned and produced in the zillions in the tramp art, or – dare we say again – Chipwork style. Picture frames that survive to this day and are the “bread and butter” of our antique business.
Of course, ditty and sewing boxes, doll furniture, and a wide range of common household items were crafted out with decorations so extreme that 1000s of components might go into a single item. All of these are items that were often given as gifts, not sold by their crafters.
As we started our collecting and dealing two decades ago we used the term “tramp art” and were frequently offered, under the table, past issues of Gentleman’s magazines. Today, the craft of our obsession has matured to a point that few don’t recognize and name it. Recognition of the term “tramp art” carries mythology into the future, as the claim that tramps made tramp art, is repeated again and again. We don’t doubt that claim, but it is hardly the story of Chipwork.
Several books (on tramp art) of the past few years tell a bigger story and we at Sholl Antiques tell that story on our Web site. Just click on the Tramp Art Class button.
Chipwork was (and continues to be) a popular hobby/woodworking style, enjoyed by crafters that owned homes, paid taxes, and even went to church.
When is all said and done, I guess Linda and I (John) are tramp art dealers, yet, as the craft receives the respect afforded folk art items of distinction, Chipwork is our preference and business.
You can write to Sholl Antiques, P.O. Box 9, Norwood, NY, 13668
For more information, call (315) 353 2474.
www.tramp-art.com

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