Cohen Rig Sleeping Hen Mallard Decoy by Bert Graves (1880-1956)

Lot 86

About Seller

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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About Auction

The Winter Sale 2023, Day 1 by Copley Fine Art Auctions

Live

The Winter Sale 2023, Day 1

By Copley Fine Art Auctions

Feb 24, 2023

Set Reminder 2023-02-24 10:00:00 2023-02-24 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : The Winter Sale 2023, Day 1 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/copley/the-winter-sale-2023-day-1-11939 Lots 1-337 Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com

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Lot Description

Cohen Rig Sleeping Hen Mallard
Bert Graves (1880-1956)
Peoria, IL, c. 1920
14 1/2 in. long

Graves built the Graves Decoy Company out of the workshop behind his home. Upon the death of Robert Elliston in 1915, Graves purchased Elliston's entire business, including wood, patterns, tools, and commissioned rigs. He also astutely hired Catherine Elliston to continue painting decoys for his company. Along with fellow Illinois River masters Elliston and Perdew, Graves produced preeners and this graceful form is their most coveted by collectors today.

Graves sold decoys to affluent hunters and to sporting goods stores for the handsome sum of $75-100 per dozen and his decoys today continue to demand a premium among collectors.

This hollow decoy shows the maker's best form with full cheeks and a delicate bill. The underside is fitted with a "B GRAVES DECOY CO" weight and bears the "LBC" brand for Louis Cohen of Peoria.
Original paint with gunning wear and touch-up to flaked areas, including back, sides, and head.

Provenance: Louis B. Cohen Rig
Kangas Collection of International Folk Art and Decoys

Literature: Stephen O'Brien Jr. and Julie Carlson, "Masterworks of the Illinois River," Boston, MA, 2005, p. 98, related decoy illustrated. Donna Tonelli, "Fish and Fowl of the Great Lakes," Atglen, PA, 2002, p. 120, related decoy illustrated. Joe Engers, ed., "The Great Book of Wildfowl Decoys," San Diego, CA, 1990, p. 232, related decoy illustrated.

Condition

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.
Shipping Info
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