EUR
CAD
AUD
GBP
MXN
HKD
CNY
MYR
SEK
SGD
CHF
THBDawson Merganser Pair, John Dawson (1889-1959)
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
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Two ways to bid:
- Leave a max absentee bid and the platform will bid on your behalf up to your maximum bid during the live auction.
- Bid live during the auction and your bids will be submitted real-time to the auctioneer.
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,500 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $25,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
About Auction
LiveFeb 19, 2021
Lots 1-292 Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com
View Full Catalog (292)
- Lot Description
John Dawson (1889-1959)
Duck Island, NJ, c. 1930
18 in. long
An outstanding pair of Delaware River decoys by one of the region's premier makers. Both birds feature matching designs with long bills, wooden crests, "shark fin" raised primaries, and rounded paddle tails. Known as a fastidious painter, Dawson even tinted the underside of the drake's white feathers as is seen subtly in the wild. A single rigmate of this design can be seen in the "Hundred Greatest" decoy book.
Dr. Muller was able to reunite this rigmate pair, acquiring the hen in 1993 and the drake in 1994. The hen originally hailed from the collection of arts patron Ralph Loeff, who donated it to The Art Institute of Chicago. The decoy was subsequently offered through Skinner's Americana sale where Dr. Muller purchased it. Just one year later, Dr. Muller was able to match it up with the drake. Both birds have the maker's initials carved in the bottom indicating the birds to be from the maker's personal rig. The hen also has the museum code "1967.456" painted under the initials.
Both decoys are in strong original paint with light even gunning wear. Hairline crack in drake's neck with minor flaking at front neck seat. Some fill loss to nail holes on hen.
Provenance: Ralph Lopp Collection (hen)
Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection, hen acquired at Skinner, lot 454, October 1993
Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection, drake acquired in 1994
Literature: Joe Engers, "Dr. Peter J. Muller: Bringing a good eye and an artistic approach to decoy collecting," Decoy Magazine, January/February 2008, p. 12, exact decoy illustrated. The Decoy Hunter, Clinton, IA, March-April 1995, p. 10, exact drake illustrated. Hal Sorenson, "Loeff Donates Special Decoy Collection to Art Institute," Decoy Collector's Guide, 1968, p. 122, exact drake illustrated. Loy S. Harrell Jr., "Decoys: North America's One Hundred Greatest," Iola, WI, 2000, p. 131, rigmate hen illustrated.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
-
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 shipping 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 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.
-
- Buyer's Premium
