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ID #SA1090365
FOR SALE
£9,600
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Early 20th Century American Prisoner Art Diorama Monkey Saloon Bar
For sale by Elmgarden
for sale €11,232     $12,192
£9,600
Elmgarden

Elmgarden

Sellingantiques Verified Since Feb 2010
Browse dealers 762 items
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Id #SA1090365
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Early 20th Century American Prisoner Art Diorama Monkey Saloon Bar

1900 - 1920
For Sale by Elmgarden
Description

Early 20th Century American Prisoner Art Diorama Monkey Saloon Bar

“ Bills Bar at the Last Chance ”, the bar, the piano, the telephone kiosk and 2 tables of cards

This is a wonderful piece, all obviously hand made mainly from wooden off cuts and the monkey characters have been carved from peach stones

The detail is amazing, once this piece was fully electrified we have not attempted to connect this but it must have worked once. Lots of fun detail like “the Last Chance”? And one detail that may help to identify the craftsman who made the scene are the initials on the front of the bar BT, I think the B stands for Bill so the other initial is T

We removed the glass lid to improve the picture quality

This piece is in good but not perfect condition, the electric have not been attempted but there are lots of wires underneath

The box is 14” tall, 23” high and 14” back to front

NG135

Physical Dimensions
Height
35cm (13.78")
Width
59cm (23.23")
Depth
36cm (14.17")
Declaration

Elmgarden has dated this American Prisoner Art Diorama to the 1910s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1090365
Dealers Internal Reference
NG135
Description
Early 20th Century American Prisoner Art Diorama Monkey Saloon Bar

“ Bills Bar at the Last Chance ”, the bar, the piano, the telephone kiosk and 2 tables of cards

“
This is a wonderful piece, all obviously hand made mainly from wooden off cuts and the monkey characters have been carved from peach stones.
Elmgarden
fig 1. An early 20th-century wooden diorama display case featuring a miniature scene of a monkey saloon titled Bills Bar.
fig 1. Early 20th Century American Prisoner Art Diorama Monkey Saloon Bar

The detail is amazing, once this piece was fully electrified we have not attempted to connect this but it must have worked once. Lots of fun detail like “the Last Chance”? And one detail that may help to identify the craftsman who made the scene are the initials on the front of the bar BT, I think the B stands for Bill so the other initial is T

fig 2. An early 20th-century wooden diorama display case featuring a miniature scene of a monkey saloon titled Bills Bar.
fig 2. Early 20th Century American Prisoner Art Diorama Monkey Saloon Bar

We removed the glass lid to improve the picture quality

This piece is in good but not perfect condition, the electric have not been attempted but there are lots of wires underneath

The box is 14” tall, 23” high and 14” back to front

NG135

Height
35cm (13.78")
Width
59cm (23.23")
Depth
36cm (14.17")
Date of Manufacture

Elmgarden has dated this American Prisoner Art Diorama to the 1910s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1090365
Dealers Internal Ref
NG135
Elmgarden
Elmgarden
Sellingantiques verified Since Feb 2010
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Elmgarden Profile Page

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An early 20th-century wooden diorama display case featuring a miniature scene of a monkey saloon titled Bills Bar.
1 / 9
Archive I An early 20th-century wooden diorama display case featuring a miniature scene of a monkey saloon titled Bills Bar.

Early 20th Century American Prisoner Art Diorama Monkey Saloon Bar

Archive II An early 20th-century wooden diorama display case featuring a miniature scene of a monkey saloon titled Bills Bar. View II
Archive III An early 20th-century wooden diorama display case featuring a miniature scene of a monkey saloon titled Bills Bar. View III
Archive IV An early 20th-century wooden diorama display case featuring a miniature scene of a monkey saloon titled Bills Bar. View IV
Archive V An early 20th-century wooden diorama display case featuring a miniature scene of a monkey saloon titled Bills Bar. View V
Archive VI An early 20th-century wooden diorama display case featuring a miniature scene of a monkey saloon titled Bills Bar. View VI
Archive VII An early 20th-century wooden diorama display case featuring a miniature scene of a monkey saloon titled Bills Bar. View VII
Archive VIII An early 20th-century wooden diorama display case featuring a miniature scene of a monkey saloon titled Bills Bar. View VIII
Archive IX An early 20th-century wooden diorama display case featuring a miniature scene of a monkey saloon titled Bills Bar. View IX
Enlarged Archival View
Elmgarden

Elmgarden
Telephone 07768 997 907
Location
Hampshire
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/elmgarden
Verified Since Feb 2010
Items For Sale 762
Items Sold 5,582
Elmgarden
Elmgarden
Verified Since Feb 2010
View Dealer Info
Location: Hampshire , United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/elmgarden
Verified
Feb 2010
For Sale
762
Sold
5,582
An early 20th-century wooden diorama display case featuring a miniature scene of a monkey saloon titled Bills Bar.
Early 20th Century American Prisoner Art Diorama Monkey Saloon Bar
Ref: SA1090365
An early 20th-century wooden diorama display case featuring a miniature scene of a monkey saloon titled Bills Bar.
Detail View 1
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDiorama
  • Period1900 - 1920
  • StyleAmericana Folk Art
  • MaterialWood, Glass, Paper
  • ColourWarm Brown
  • MotifsGlazed glass case, inlaid wood, miniature figures, beaded lettering
  • SizeH 35 cm (14 in) x W 59 cm (23 in) x D 36 cm (14 in)

This early 20th century American prisoner art diorama in the Americana folk art style presents a detailed miniature monkey saloon titled "Bill's Bar". Constructed mainly from wooden off-cuts with glass and paper, the warm brown wooden box has geometric wood inlay along the scalloped lower edge, beaded lettering reading "Bill's Bar" across the lintel, and a glazed viewing case on top. Inside, hand-carved monkey figures made from peach stones populate a scene complete with a bar, a piano, a telephone kiosk, and tables of cards, alongside miniature electrical fittings. The whole piece measures 35 cm high, 59 cm wide, and 36 cm deep. Suitable for display atop a sideboard in a living room, study, or hallway, this conversational folk art piece provides a focal point for collectors of quirky Americana.

FAQs

Prisoner art refers to hand-crafted objects created by inmates using readily available or salvaged materials during incarceration. These items often take the form of intricate folk art dioramas, carved wooden objects, or decorative boxes reflecting popular culture or personal memories.

Craftspeople and folk artists utilised accessible materials such as reclaimed wood timber, glass panes, beads, paper, foil, and matchsticks to construct detailed interior miniature scenes and protective display cases.

Authentic period examples display signs of age such as natural wood oxidisation, hand-cut joinery, original glass with minor imperfections, and historical patina on painted or glued decorative components.

A diorama functions well as a focal conversational object placed on a sideboard, desk, or open shelving unit, pairing effectively with dark timber accents, leather furnishings, or modern minimalist backdrop settings.

Dust the exterior glass and timber gently using a dry, soft microfibre cloth. Avoid applying liquid cleaners directly to the glass joints or wood surfaces to prevent moisture ingress into the internal sealed compartment.
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