Over the Summer of 2008, my father made a series of seventeen one-of-a-kind contemporary folk art boxes using some remnant pieces of hardwood he had in his wood shop. Atop each diamond shaped box, he attached a stylized Victorian caricature he hand carved out of either pine or poplar. The majority of the series are of various incarnations of Jolly Old Saint Nick (Santa Claus, Kris Kringle, Saint Nicholas, Sint Klaas, Father Christmas, Papa Noel, etc...). The box and carving were then coated in a hand rubbed Danish Oil finish to protect the wood and a number was stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Victorian Trinket Box No. 1The stylized caricature on top of the box is hand carved out of Pine. The base and lid are Cherry. The sides of the box are Monkey Pod. The box and carving are coated in a hand rubbed Danish Oil finish to protect the wood.
The number "1" is stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Figure Height: 4 3/16"
Box Height: 3 11/16"
Total Height: 8 1/8"
Width: 4 15/16"
Depth: 1 15/16"
The stylized caricature on top of the box is hand carved out of Pine. The base and lid are Cherry. The sides of the box are Monkey Pod. The box and carving are coated in a hand rubbed Danish Oil finish to protect the wood.
The number "2" is stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Figure Height: 3 11/16"
Box Height: 3 5/8"
Total Height: 7 5/16"
Width: 4 3/16"
Depth: 1 11/16"
The number "2" is stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Figure Height: 3 11/16"
Box Height: 3 5/8"
Total Height: 7 5/16"
Width: 4 3/16"
Depth: 1 11/16"
The stylized caricature on top of the box is hand carved out of Pine. The base and lid are Ipe. The sides of the box are Cherry. The box and carving are coated in a hand rubbed Danish Oil finish to protect the wood.
The number "3" is stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Figure Height: 3 1/16"
Box Height: 2 5/16"
Total Height: 5 3/8"
Width: 5 1/16"
Depth: 1 3/8"
The stylized caricature on top of the box is hand carved out of Pine. The base and lid are Maple. The sides of the box are Ipe. The box and carving are coated in a hand rubbed Danish Oil finish to protect the wood.
The number "5" is stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Figure Height: 4 1/2"
Box Height: 4"
Total Height: 8 1/2"
Width: 4 1/16"
Depth: 2 5/8"
Victorian Trinket Box No. 6
Victorian Trinket Box No. 7
The stylized caricature on top of the box is hand carved out of Pine. The base and lid are Poplar. The sides of the box are Ipe. The box and carving are coated in a hand rubbed Danish Oil finish to protect the wood.
The number "7" is stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Figure Height: 4 1/8"
Box Height: 3 9/16"
Total Height: 7 11/16"
Width: 6 3/16"
Depth: 1 5/8"
Victorian Trinket Box No. 8
Victorian Trinket Box No. 9
The stylized caricature on top of the box is hand carved out of Pine. The base and lid are Poplar. The sides of the box are Ipe. The box and carving are coated in a hand rubbed Danish Oil finish to protect the wood.
The number "9" is stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Figure Height: 3 3/16"
Box Height: 3 5/8"
Total Height: 6 13/16"
Width: 4 3/16"
Depth: 1 11/16"
Victorian Trinket Box No. 10
Victorian Trinket Box No. 11
The stylized caricature on top of the box is hand carved out of Pine. The base and lid are Maple. The sides of the box are Ipe. The box and carving are coated in a hand rubbed Danish Oil finish to protect the wood.
The number "11" is stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Figure Height: 4 7/16"
Box Height: 4 5/16"
Total Height: 8 3/4"
Width: 6 11/16"
Depth: 1 3/4"
Victorian Trinket Box No. 12
Victorian Trinket Box No. 13
The stylized caricature on top of the box is hand carved out of Pine. The base and lid are Cherry. The sides of the box are Oak. The box and carving are coated in a hand rubbed Danish Oil finish to protect the wood.
The number "13" is stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Figure Height: 3 1/2"
Box Height: 3 7/16"
Total Height: 6 15/16"
Width: 4 3/4"
Depth: 1 1/4"
Victorian Trinket Box No. 14
Victorian Trinket Box No. 15
The stylized caricature on top of the box is hand carved out of Pine. The base and lid are Maple. The sides of the box are Ipe. The box and carving are coated in a hand rubbed Danish Oil finish to protect the wood.
The number "15" is stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Figure Height: 4 9/16"
Box Height: 3 3/4"
Total Height: 8 7/16"
Width: 3 13/16"
Depth: 2 3/16"
Victorian Trinket Box No. 16
Victorian Trinket Box No. 17
The stylized caricature on top of the box is hand carved out of Pine. The base and lid are Corian. The sides of the box are Ipe. The box and carving are coated in a hand rubbed Danish Oil finish to protect the wood.
The number "17" is stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Figure Height: 4 9/16"
Box Height: 3 9/16"
Total Height: 8 1/8"
Width: 4 3/16"
Depth: 1 3/4"
All of these boxes are available for sale in my Etsy store. Since my father only made seventeen of these, it makes them all rather scarce. They would make perfect gifts for the Santa collector in your family. Great for holding small trinkets or jewelry.
About Ronald E. Bader
Ronald Bader was born in 1944 and raised in the small town of Mt. Gilead, Ohio. His father owned a lumber mill in town, so he got into woodworking at the age of 8. He joined the US Navy at 18 and spent 8 years as a barber on a destroyer in the Pacific during Vietnam. After returning home, he went to school using his G.I. Bill and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Wright State University in 1975. Since graduation, he has raised a family and currently works as a cabinet maker. Most of his works are held in private collections throughout the United States.
The number "3" is stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Figure Height: 3 1/16"
Box Height: 2 5/16"
Total Height: 5 3/8"
Width: 5 1/16"
Depth: 1 3/8"
The stylized caricature on top of the box is hand carved out of Pine. The base and lid are Poplar. The sides of the box are Ipe. The box and carving are coated in a hand rubbed Danish Oil finish to protect the wood.
The number "4" is stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Figure Height: 4 1/8"
Box Height: 4 3/16"
Total Height: 8 5/16"
Width: 4 1/8"
Depth: 1 11/16"
The number "4" is stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Figure Height: 4 1/8"
Box Height: 4 3/16"
Total Height: 8 5/16"
Width: 4 1/8"
Depth: 1 11/16"
The stylized caricature on top of the box is hand carved out of Pine. The base and lid are Maple. The sides of the box are Ipe. The box and carving are coated in a hand rubbed Danish Oil finish to protect the wood.
The number "5" is stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Figure Height: 4 1/2"
Box Height: 4"
Total Height: 8 1/2"
Width: 4 1/16"
Depth: 2 5/8"
Victorian Trinket Box No. 6The stylized caricature on top of the box is hand carved out of Pine. The base and lid are Poplar. The sides of the box are Ipe. The box and carving are coated in a hand rubbed Danish Oil finish to protect the wood.
The number "6" is stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Figure Height: 3 1/16"
Box Height: 3 5/8"
Total Height: 6 7/16"
Width: 4 1/16"
Depth: 1 11/16"
The number "6" is stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Figure Height: 3 1/16"
Box Height: 3 5/8"
Total Height: 6 7/16"
Width: 4 1/16"
Depth: 1 11/16"
Victorian Trinket Box No. 7The stylized caricature on top of the box is hand carved out of Pine. The base and lid are Poplar. The sides of the box are Ipe. The box and carving are coated in a hand rubbed Danish Oil finish to protect the wood.
The number "7" is stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Figure Height: 4 1/8"
Box Height: 3 9/16"
Total Height: 7 11/16"
Width: 6 3/16"
Depth: 1 5/8"
Victorian Trinket Box No. 8The stylized caricature on top of the box is hand carved out of Pine. The base and lid are Poplar. The sides of the box are Ipe. The box and carving are coated in a hand rubbed Danish Oil finish to protect the wood.
The number "8" is stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Figure Height: 3 3/4"
Box Height: 3 1/2"
Total Height: 7 1/4"
Width: 3 3/16"
Depth: 1 11/16"
The number "8" is stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Figure Height: 3 3/4"
Box Height: 3 1/2"
Total Height: 7 1/4"
Width: 3 3/16"
Depth: 1 11/16"
Victorian Trinket Box No. 9The stylized caricature on top of the box is hand carved out of Pine. The base and lid are Poplar. The sides of the box are Ipe. The box and carving are coated in a hand rubbed Danish Oil finish to protect the wood.
The number "9" is stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Figure Height: 3 3/16"
Box Height: 3 5/8"
Total Height: 6 13/16"
Width: 4 3/16"
Depth: 1 11/16"
Victorian Trinket Box No. 10The stylized caricature on top of the box is hand carved out of Pine. The base and lid are Maple. The sides of the box are Ipe. The box and carving are coated in a hand rubbed Danish Oil finish to protect the wood.
The number "10" is stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Figure Height: 2 1/8"
Box Height: 3 5/16"
Total Height: 5 7/16"
Width: 6 1/16"
Depth: 1 5/8"
The number "10" is stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Figure Height: 2 1/8"
Box Height: 3 5/16"
Total Height: 5 7/16"
Width: 6 1/16"
Depth: 1 5/8"
Victorian Trinket Box No. 11The stylized caricature on top of the box is hand carved out of Pine. The base and lid are Maple. The sides of the box are Ipe. The box and carving are coated in a hand rubbed Danish Oil finish to protect the wood.
The number "11" is stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Figure Height: 4 7/16"
Box Height: 4 5/16"
Total Height: 8 3/4"
Width: 6 11/16"
Depth: 1 3/4"
Victorian Trinket Box No. 12The stylized caricature on top of the box is hand carved out of Poplar. The base and lid are Mahogany. The sides of the box are Ipe. The box and carving are coated in a hand rubbed Danish Oil finish to protect the wood.
The number "12" is stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Figure Height: 4"
Box Height: 4 1/16"
Total Height: 8 1/16"
Width: 5"
Depth: 1 3/4"
The number "12" is stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Figure Height: 4"
Box Height: 4 1/16"
Total Height: 8 1/16"
Width: 5"
Depth: 1 3/4"
Victorian Trinket Box No. 13The stylized caricature on top of the box is hand carved out of Pine. The base and lid are Cherry. The sides of the box are Oak. The box and carving are coated in a hand rubbed Danish Oil finish to protect the wood.
The number "13" is stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Figure Height: 3 1/2"
Box Height: 3 7/16"
Total Height: 6 15/16"
Width: 4 3/4"
Depth: 1 1/4"
Victorian Trinket Box No. 14The stylized caricature on top of the box is hand carved out of Pine. The base and lid are Cherry. The sides of the box are Monkey Pod. The box and carving are coated in a hand rubbed Danish Oil finish to protect the wood.
The number "14" is stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Figure Height: 3 1/2"
Box Height: 3 9/16"
Total Height: 7 1/16"
Width: 4 7/8"
Depth: 2"
The number "14" is stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Figure Height: 3 1/2"
Box Height: 3 9/16"
Total Height: 7 1/16"
Width: 4 7/8"
Depth: 2"
Victorian Trinket Box No. 15The stylized caricature on top of the box is hand carved out of Pine. The base and lid are Maple. The sides of the box are Ipe. The box and carving are coated in a hand rubbed Danish Oil finish to protect the wood.
The number "15" is stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Figure Height: 4 9/16"
Box Height: 3 3/4"
Total Height: 8 7/16"
Width: 3 13/16"
Depth: 2 3/16"
Victorian Trinket Box No. 16The stylized caricature on top of the box is hand carved out of Pine. The base and lid are Maple. The sides of the box are Ipe. The box and carving are coated in a hand rubbed Danish Oil finish to protect the wood.
The number "16" is stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Figure Height: 4 7/16"
Box Height: 4 1/8"
Total Height: 8 9/16"
Width: 4 3/16"
Depth: 1 11/16"
The number "16" is stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Figure Height: 4 7/16"
Box Height: 4 1/8"
Total Height: 8 9/16"
Width: 4 3/16"
Depth: 1 11/16"
Victorian Trinket Box No. 17The stylized caricature on top of the box is hand carved out of Pine. The base and lid are Corian. The sides of the box are Ipe. The box and carving are coated in a hand rubbed Danish Oil finish to protect the wood.
The number "17" is stamped on the base of the box to denote its number in the series.
Figure Height: 4 9/16"
Box Height: 3 9/16"
Total Height: 8 1/8"
Width: 4 3/16"
Depth: 1 3/4"
All of these boxes are available for sale in my Etsy store. Since my father only made seventeen of these, it makes them all rather scarce. They would make perfect gifts for the Santa collector in your family. Great for holding small trinkets or jewelry.
About Ronald E. Bader
Ronald Bader was born in 1944 and raised in the small town of Mt. Gilead, Ohio. His father owned a lumber mill in town, so he got into woodworking at the age of 8. He joined the US Navy at 18 and spent 8 years as a barber on a destroyer in the Pacific during Vietnam. After returning home, he went to school using his G.I. Bill and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Wright State University in 1975. Since graduation, he has raised a family and currently works as a cabinet maker. Most of his works are held in private collections throughout the United States.
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