Tramp art doesn't make Gramps a hobo

I would like to get some idea of the value of a piece of tramp art made by my great-grandfather. It is a large piece, measuring 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide. It is in excellent condition.

S.D., St. Pete

Wow, what a monumental piece of tramp art in the crown-of-thorns pattern! It must have been some type of architectural surround; it seems too large to have been made as a picture frame.

The term tramp art conjures up images of hobos on the road, gathered around the old campfire whittling pieces to sell as they traveled from town to town. The legend could not be further from the truth.

Most tramp art was made by hobbyists in their workshops as a way to relax. Some used published patterns. Much of the art was made from discarded cigar boxes; however, scraps also were used.

Mostly small items were made, such as jewelry boxes and small picture frames. Crucifixes were especially popular and occasionally were part of a small shrine. Some pieces, though, were quite large, including furniture.

Yours is a great-looking piece and would retail for at least $400. Tramp art is still being made by hobbyists. A fine collection of tramp art is housed at Clifford A. Wallach Tramp Art, Folk Art & Americana in Greenwich, Conn.

People have called our piece a soup tureen. It is decorated with flowers and Chinese figures. There are no marks. My wife inherited it from her aunt, which dates it to the early 1900s. Any information will help.

T.H., Tampa

Your covered tureen is Chinese export porcelain in the Rose Medallion pattern, made between 1840 and 1880. There were several Rose patterns, including Rose Mandarin and Rose Canton. Cabbage and Bird-and-Butterfly are closely related patterns.

Judging from the number of Rose Medallion pieces, that was probably the most popular pattern. It was produced in a vast array of forms. Quality varied widely, and there were subtle pattern differences.

Rose Medallion is so named because of the panels of flowers, birds, butterflies and people, with medallions between the panels. It is still produced in large quantities in varying degrees of quality.

The tureen would retail for about $150.