very rare and finally executed c. 1940's american prison art tugboat comprised of thousands of burnt wood matchsticks painstakingly glued together. believed to have originated from the indiana state prison, located in michigan city, indiana. the folkart tugboat contains a reinforced hull and bow divided by two parallel lines in the form of black painted overlay. the double-tier wheel or pilothouse contains hand-panted metallic silver paint portholes. the wheelhouse is surrounded by rope handrails supported by black painted posts. the main deck is outfitted with a large hatch and a multi-faceted compartment or housing, presumably for storage of fuel, etc. hand-crafted sometime between 1945-50 by a prisoner or inmate. exceptional piece of americana. the burnt tips highlight the orientation of the matchsticks in addition to providing visual character, by creating distinctive lines or divisions in an otherwise monotonous and repetitive assemblage. measures 28 x 9 x 18 inches.