65 Sharp Street
Hingham, MA 02043
United States
Copley Fine Art Auctions is the world's leading American sporting art auction company. Located in Hingham, MA, Copley specializes in antique decoys and 19th- and 20th-century American, sporting, and wildlife paintings. Principal Stephen O'Brien Jr., a fourth-generation sportsman with a refined colle...Read more
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Jul 27, 2017 - Jul 28, 2017
Canada Goose
George Warin (1830-1905)
Toronto Island, Ontario, Canada, c. 1880
23 1/2 in. long
George Warin (1830-1905) and his brother James (1832-1884) first apprenticed to the highly esteemed boatbuilder Robert G. Renardson before taking over his business in 1873. As a testament to their craftsmanship, a Warin-built racing scull won the 1881 and 1882 world championships. George Warin used his exceptional boatbuilding skills to carve decoys which “set a new standard of excellence in the region and were imitated by dozens of later Toronto and southwestern Ontario craftsmen,” according to historian Robert Shaw. The Warins created lightweight, hollow decoys that were perfectly suited to the calm waters of southwestern Ontario.
Warin was also the first president of the St. Clair Flats Shooting Company and his recommendation positioned Thomas Chambers (1860-1948) as the club's keeper (see lots 5-6).
A fine hollow carving by this accomplished boat builder and club founder. The wet-on-wet blended paint applied to this decoy is among the finest seen on any goose carving.
Outstanding original paint with even gunning wear, and minor darkening to area on back, minimal touch-up to reset neck and sliver under bill.
Provenance: Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Collection
Literature: Laurence Sheehan, "The Birding Life," New York, NY, 2011, p. 90, exact decoy illustrated.
Condition report requests can be made via email or by telephone (info@copleyart.com or 617.536.0030). 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.
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