But when you pick the ‘box’ and papers up, thinking that you have hit Lady Luck and mentally book that exotic holidays, buying a new car, you discover that you are holding amazing detailed wooden sculptures instead!
Each has been carved by New York artist Randall Rosenthal using a block of Vermont white pine – and skilfully applied acrylic paint.
Sculptor Randall Rosenthal carves lifelike bundles of bank notes and piles of newspapers (Picture: Randall Rosenthal / Caters)
‘I just create from my mind, without photographs or objects as a guide,’ said the 61-year-old.
‘There is no attempt to hide the fact my work is wooden. Many shapes and thicknesses are subtly exaggerated.’
Mr Rosenthal began making sculptures after seeing an open book carved as a Bible rest in a church.
‘I was so intrigued that I began carving open books. Then I started painting the pages and it all spiralled from there,’ he said.
His pieces are displayed in the Louis K Meisel and Bernarducci-Meisel galleries in New York City.