Charming Small Gold Painted Tramp Art Hanging Match Holder Dated 1900 funny face I believe a basket like

I believe a basket like this would have been made for the transport of goods

I think the looseness and lack of color

which I'd love to think was the deck this winner was playing with

I find them about as pure and poignant as it gets

accommodating 60 people

Charming Small Gold Painted Tramp Art Hanging Match Holder Dated 1900 funny face I believe a basket likeYes, this lovely wall hanging piece could indeed hold some matches or other little things, but I'd treat it as pure sculpture, perhaps a bit like a crucifix for the believer in small wonders! 8 stacked chip carved layers on the pocket, and little carved stars topping each of the round bits, all painted gold, which has mellowed perfectly with age. On the underside of the pocket its maker carved their initials and the year, 1900 quite a nice way to mark