Sculptural Old Chip Carved Tramp Art Box silhouette head With a regal

With a regal

I believe American and I think likely 2nd half of the 19th century

they are really one of the best things ever made

The black paper is not be as old as the paper cut itself

I would guess this one in the 1950s or so

Sculptural Old Chip Carved Tramp Art Box silhouette head With a regalI've gotten increasingly picky about tramp art pieces, whether frames or boxes or whatever, but this box pleases me very much, with an especially nice top view punctuated by brass tacks (they look to me like upholstery tacks) at center and corners. Nice scale, very sculptural, and in very good shape, with lid that lifts off and sits flush (not hinged.) Original stain, which looks more soft black from above and more reddish (varnished) from the sides.