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THBSurf Scoter Rigmate Pair, Augustus "Gus" Aaron Wilson (1864-1950)
About Seller
20 Winter Street
Pembroke, MA 02359
United States
Founded in 2005, Copley Fine Art Auctions is a boutique auction house specializing in antique decoys and American, sporting, and wildlife paintings. Over the course of the last two decades, the firm has set auction records for not only individual decoy makers, but also entire carving regions. Copley...Read more
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About Auction
LiveFeb 15, 2020
Charleston Marriott, 170 Lockwood Blvd., Charleston, SC 29403 Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com
View Full Catalog (533)
- Lot Description
Surf Scoter Rigmate Pair
Augustus "Gus" Aaron Wilson (1864-1950)
South Portland, ME, c. 1890
16 in. long
Exhibiting wide bodies with clean lines, this Wilson sea duck pair showcases two poses of the maker’s best form. The maker’s classic Monhegan Island model is regarded as one of Maine’s most important contributions to the art of decoy carving. Each has an inletted head, one in a back-preening pose, and the other tucked and slightly turned. Closely related models have been prized by America’s top decoy and folk art collectors, including Thomas K. Figge, Donal C. O’Brien Jr, Jim Doherty, Russell Aitken, and Jerry Lauren, among others. In 1975 this important pair was selected for the landmark exhibition "The Bird Decoy: An American Art Form."
Original paint with some working paint and gunning wear.
Provenance: Jay D. Miles Collection
Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection, acquired from the above
Literature: Paul A. Johnsgard, "The Bird Decoy: An American Art Form," Lincoln, NE, 1976, p. 75, fig. 73, exact pair illustrated.
Frank Maresca & Roger Ricco, "American Vernacular," New York, NY, 2002, pp. 38-39, similar preening decoy illustrated.
Joel Barber, "Wild Fowl Decoys," New York, NY, 1954, p. 59, diagram of similar scoter illustrated.
Christie's, "The Collection of Peggy and David Rockefeller," New York, NY, May 10, 2018, lots 1062 and 1063, related decoys illustrated.
Adele Earnest, "The Art of The Decoy," New York, NY, 1965, p. 194, pl. 169, related animated Wilson examples illustrated.
Quintina Colio, "American Decoys," Ephrata, PA, 1972, pp. 30-31, related decoys illustrated.
Robert Shaw, "Call to the Sky: The Decoy Collection of James M. McCleery, M.D.," Houston, TX, 1992, p. 3, related example illustrated.
Linda and Gene Kangas, "Decoys," Paducah, KY, 1992, p. 246, pl. 442-444, closely related example illustrated three times.
Exhibited: Lincoln, Nebraska, "The Bird Decoy: An American Art Form," Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery, 1975.Please email condition report requests to colin@copleyart.com. Any condition statement given is a courtesy to customers, Copley will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition.Condition
- Shipping Info
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Copley Fine Art Auctions does not handle the shipping of any items. Shipping is the sole responsibility of the buyer. Once your payment has cleared and we have received your authorized shipping release form items may be released for shipment. Copley Fine Art Auctions, LLC shall have no liability for any loss or damage to such items. Buyers should allow up to four weeks for shipment. Please email info@copleyart.com for a shipping form. Please be aware that internet bidders may NOT not pick up their items at the sale. Items will be available for pick up by appointment or by shippers five days after the sale.
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