Large, Stately Heart-Decorated Cross
With its stately size, striking geometric form and original gilded surface, this chip carved tramp arts cross has unmistakable presence. Carved and painted applied hearts once decorated both sides of the cross but, as the photos show, only the painted outline of a heart remains on one side. The work of a skilled but unknown maker, the one-of-a-kind piece stands 27” h, including the tiered base, and is 18” w. The base measures 9-5/8” at its widest, while the sturdy cross is 15-3/4” in circumference. I believe that the cross itself is earlier than the stand and probably dated to the 1920s or 1930s. Collected in North Carolina. Excellent condition.
SOLD