Carved Wood Keepsake Box

This is a piece I seen today. I didn't get a chance to examine it. The dark area of the design is lower than the lighter area. I'm not sure if it is hand carved or some type of machine manufactured. It might have been pyrography. The seller describes it as a "letter box", and there is a letter inside which is dated 1921. I can't help but feel like I've seen this lady before, maybe a Coca-Cola advertisement. Any thought are greatly appreciated.

 

Hi,
It is a typical "Gibson girl". Looks like it was done using a wood burner. I think they are call pyro......... Too early, need coffee.
greg

 

Here are other pyrography Gibson Girl with flowers boxes.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Pyrography-Wooden-Tie-Box-with-Lovely-Gibson-Girl-and-Flowers-/301382003496?nma=true&si=7fExokl1Gkg6Ao0Qli4nwH2aBLU%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

This one appears to have the same trim around the edge of the box.
http://ancientpoint.com/inf/6380-an...l_floral_pyrography_flemish_art_wood_box.html

--- Susan

 

Definitely pyrography... some of those types of things are homemade and some were made by commercial companies. From look of yours, I think it might be commercially made. I don't think it matters related to value.

If you would be planning to sell it, I think the price they have on it would not leave you any room for a profit. I sometimes see these boxes for as little as $20 or as much as $35-$38.

 

The Flemish Art Company was one of the major companies who made these.

http://pyromuse.org/flemish_art_factory.html

More information:
http://carverscompanion.com/Ezine/Vol2Issue1/Menendez/Antiquep2.html

 

Great links Fig. Amazing portraits and pieces.

 

Hi,
For some dang reason pyrography would not come out.
greg

 

Thanks everyone. It sure seems like these Flemish art pieces are undervalued considering the age and workmanship.

 

Am wondering if the box was made using a kit? If so the product is in somewhat the same category as "paint-by-the-numbers" paintings, and neither will ever be worth very much unless done by Adolph Hitler or some other infamous/famous person.

My parents' second favorite gift for B'days and Xmasses was the woodburning set (their favorite was Coppercraft kit.) So I wound up with one of those. It came with a soldering-iron with woodburning tips, and 4x4" thin slabs pf plywood with white faces into which you were supposed to burn a design. Seem to recall design templates too. maybe they were printed on the wood slabs? I don't recall trying to be very artsy but I really liked the smell of the wood smoke, and found the hot iron would melt crayons and do other things I thought were fun at the time.

 

There's a street artist in the Spanish town where I holiday who does pyrography using a lens and sun power. Fascinating to watch.

I'm not convinced that box is much older than the 1960s.

 

Personally, see no reason to think this is other than an early 20th century piece, most likely sold as a glove box, as Fig suggested, it's a factory-burned piece, the design done with a stamp rather than by hand. With that dainty nose and languid eyes, does appear to be a 'Gibson Girl', so should be by Thayer & Chandler, who held the rights, Flemish Art held the rights to the 'Christy Girls', who tended to have stronger features.

I really like pyrography (or pokerwork), have even done my fair share, it's not particularly easy to do well, even with modern burners, but unless they're original work, have a hard time seeing them as anything other than decorative items - but who knew that paint-by-number 'art' would ever have value?

~Cheryl