- 876
Rare rig of twelve shadow merganser hens, Augustus Aaron "Gus" Wilson, South Portland, Maine, First Quarter 20th Century
Estimate
60,000 - 80,000 USD
bidding is closed
Description
- wood
- Varying lengths and heights; All 2 1/2 in. wide.
All with their original painted surfaces with minor white touch up on some of the speculums.
Provenance
Thomas E. Delach, Kalamazoo, Michigan, 1980;
Catherine Cahill, New York;
Robin Starr, Duxbury, Massachusetts.
Catherine Cahill, New York;
Robin Starr, Duxbury, Massachusetts.
Literature
John Delph and Shirley Delph, New England Decoys, Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., Atglen, PA, 1981, pp. 108 – 109.
Loy S. Harrell, Jr., Decoys, North America's One Hundred Greatest, Krause Publications, Iola, WI, 2000, p. 113.
Roger Ricco and Frank Maresca, American Vernacular, Bulfinch, Little Brown, New York, 2002, pp. 48 – 49.
Loy S. Harrell, Jr., Decoys, North America's One Hundred Greatest, Krause Publications, Iola, WI, 2000, p. 113.
Roger Ricco and Frank Maresca, American Vernacular, Bulfinch, Little Brown, New York, 2002, pp. 48 – 49.
Catalogue Note
These decoys are unique—they are silhouettes with flat bodies and three-dimensional heads carved from cedar, with oak bills. The decoys were originally attached to one another in pairs—two birds, mounted on boards and floated in front of the gunner's blind.
Decoys from this rig were separated and sold to various collections in 1980. Much later and over a period of five years, the rig was gradually reassembled by the present owner.
Decoys from this rig were separated and sold to various collections in 1980. Much later and over a period of five years, the rig was gradually reassembled by the present owner.