FEEDING YELLOW LEGSFREDERICK MELVILLE NICHOLS(1854-1924) | Feeding Yellow LegsFrederick Melville Nichols(1854-1924)

having a raised wing and split tail

Robin Starr, Duxbury, Massachusetts;
Steve Miller, American Folk Art, New York.

Roger Ricco and Frank Maresca, American Primitive: Discoveries in Folk Sculpture (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1988) p. 157, fig. 218;
Tom Geismar and Harvey Kahn, Spiritually Moving:  A Collection of American Folk Art Sculpture (New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1998) cat. no. 44, illus. in color.

Overall fine condition. Wear and losses to the painted surface consistent with age and use, IMPORTANT NOTICE: Purchasers may pay for and pick up their purchases from any of our Americana Week sales taking place from January 17-20, 2019, at our York Avenue headquarters until the close of business on Sunday, January 20, 2019. After this time, all property (sold and unsold) will be transferred to our offsite facility, Crozier Fine Art, One Star Ledger Plaza, 69 Court Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102. Once property has been transferred from our York Avenue location, it will not be available for collection at Crozier Fine Arts until Friday, January 25, 2019. Crozier's hours of operation for collection are from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday-Friday. Please note, certain items of property, including but not limited to jewelry, watches, silver and works on panel will remain at 1334 York Avenue. Invoices and statements will indicate your property's location. For more information regarding collection from our offsite facility, please visit sothebys.com/pickup.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Nichols was a keen birder who was a member of the Essex County Ornithological Club associated with the Peabody Museum in Salem. His obituary notes that he was "especially interested in music and birds, giving great attention to the shore-birds." This superb early example of his work manifests his knowledge of wild birds and his ability to detail his observations of their forms and plumage in wood and paint.