Antique Folk Art Handcrafted Gothic Revival Tramp Art Sewing Box with Picture

Rare size, solid bronze, Victorian Gothic box with multiple church window-like panels. Over the years we have sold a number of rare and unique boxes, but never a Gothic Revival one of this length and looking like a medieval antiquity. Let us start of by saying that this antique box truly looks much better in real life than in our photos. There are as many as 28 Gothic church-like panels depicting biblical scenes all around. They are not the most detailed, but we feel this was done in an attempt to make this antique box look truly time-worn and medieval. Anyone who knows what it took (in terms of time and skills) to create this box will be just as enthousiastic as we were when we first saw it. It would have taken the artisan(s) working for Adolph Frankau of London quite a few hours (if not days) to first design this luxurious box piece on paper. The Gothic cathedral windows would then have to be hand carved out of wood or handmade using clay or another material. Then molds would have to be made from those sculptural plaques after which they would have been cast in bronze. The castings would have to be polished and the panels would have to somehow be welded together. Then any sharp edges would have to be grinded down and all the pieces of this box would also have been patinated and the lid hinged. When you look at this box with that in mind then you will see it in a whole new perspective. Have you also noticed the beautiful Gothic leaf pattern on the lock plate? This fully marked antique box comes with a working lock and key, but we will not try to close it, because one never knows if it will open again. If it won't then you have to damage this beautiful antique to be able to open it again. This rare and long antique box actually is a copy of what special Gothic boxes would look like in the 14th, 15th and 16th century. Back in those (Medieval) days these long Gothic boxes were made for safe-keeping and transporting parchment rolls and/or ordinances. In all our years we have never seen an antique copy...

Another rare antique for the collectors and enthusiasts of Gothic art. This sizeable and very stylish inkstand was all-handcrafted in the late 19th century and it could hardly be in...

Stylish and highly decorative six-light medieval style pendant light. With early 20th century lighting as one of our specialities, we have seen a lot of great and unique fixtures, but never did we come across a handcrafted, mediëval style pendant with a standing knight or guard in the middle of the trefoil symbol (for the trinity). With his hands on his sword and wearing a full body armour this knight looks very much alert and ready to protect you and your loved ones. Have you also noticed the larger sword designs that make the stylized torches on which the 'faux' candles are placed? Handcrafted with forged and cast iron elements, this partially bronzed light truly is a joy to own and look at. If you have a room or an entire house in the Gothic...

Perfect size and shape church bench. This very well crafted, solid oak bench is a perfect example of quality made European furniture from the late 1900's. We felt very fortunate to ...

A Swedish allmoge folk art painted little box with a combination lock most probably from the region of Dalarna in central Sweden. Hand carved and origi...

Seven vintage and antique 20th century Shaker style miniature bentwood boxes painted in a variety of colors, two forming the image of a Halloween j...

Breathtaking folk art hand-carved wooden box with grapes, vine and leaf detail. This Dionysian solid wood box is a compliment to any kitchen, great for recipe cards or tea bags. Can also be used for mementos, 420, or a vintage postcard collection.

This exquisite antique parquetry writing box or lap desk is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in Canada in approximately 1900 in a Folk Art style. The box itself, including th...