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THBBreast-Preening Eider Drake by 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
LiveJul 24, 2016 - Jul 25, 2016
Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com
View Full Catalog (472)
- Lot Description
Breast-Preening Eider Drake
Augustus ÏGus Aaron Wilson (1864-1950)
South Portland, ME, c. 1910
An exceptional breast-preening eider drake exhibiting the makerªs finest form. This boldly carved coastal gunning decoy measures a full 18 inches in length and a stout 9 inches in width. The bird is carved perfectly to scale with its content head inletted in the body. The decoy's clean lines flow over its raised wings through to its uplifted tail.
Wilson was born ÏDown East, on Mount Desert Island, Maine. Though he is foremost remembered as carver, he was also a boat builder, waterman, outdoorsman, and lighthouse keeper. He was an attendant to a number of Maineªs lighthouses, including the Great Duck Island Light, Goose Rocks Station on Fox Island, Two Lights Station on Cape Elizabeth, Marshall Point Light at Port Clyde and lastly Spring Point Light in Casco Bay. According to art historian Gene Kangas, Ïhis job as a lighthouse keeper provided financial security and ample time to facilitate rapid artistic advancement. Imaginative decoys and wildlife carvings being shaped in an incredible variety of poses.
Kangas describes Wilson as an esteemed fixture of Americana. Early regional traditions and requirements drove carvers to produce big, solid decoys with modest paint patterns. ÏSeaworthiness, durability, practicality, effectiveness and affordability were essential considerations...Wilsonªs genius is demonstrated by his ability to work within those existing traditions, yet elevate the Maine decoy to a higher level of artistic achievement.
Wilsonªs interests were, by no means, limited to decoys. He carved a variety of songbirds, decoratives, weathervanes, and big cats. A pair of Wilsonªs tigers are featured in the "American Identities" exhibit, on display as a part of the permanent collection of the Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, New York.
Original paint with white areas successfully taken down to original, and gunning wear.
Literature: Gene Kangas, ÏGus Wilson, Folk Artist, Decoy Magazine, November/December 1994, pp. 8-13.
Robert Shaw, "Bird Decoys of North America," New York, NY, 2010, p. 149, related decoy illustrated. - Shipping Info
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Shipping info
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 BE AWARE THAT INTERNET BIDDERS MAY NOT PICK UP THEIR ITEMS AT THE SALE SITE. ITEMS CAN BE PICKED UP BY APPOINTMENT OR SHIPPED STARTING FIVE DAYS AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THE SALE
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