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THBDovetailed Dowitcher
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
LiveJul 27, 2017 - Jul 28, 2017
Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com
View Full Catalog (156)
- Lot Description
Dovetailed Dowitcher
Massachusetts, c. 1900
9 in. long
This charming dowitcher was made by perhaps the greatest of the unknown makers, the same maker as the dovetailed geese (see p. 30) and other exceptional shorebirds. O’Brien noted, “Of all the ‘unknown’ makers, this is the mystery maker I would like most to identify.”
Referring to a rigmate plover in Massachusetts Masterpieces, author and curator Gigi Hopkins writes, “...its meticulouslycrafted dovetail joint which allows the head to be slipped on and off...this was a cabinetmaker enjoying his art.”
The body and head of this little decoy are joined by a dovetail. This elaborate construction would allow the decoy to be disassembled when not in use, in order to help protect the bill and neck from breakage. The form features incised wings, shoulder separation, a long mortise-and-tenon bill, and concave tail carving. The dry surface features elaborate paint techniques from head to tail. The underside bears faint ink script that is largely illegible.
Four rigmates are held in the Shelburne Museum in Vermont.
Original paint with minimal gunning wear.
Provenance: Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Collection
Literature: Adele Earnest, "The Art of the Decoy," West Chester, PA, 1965, p. 104, plate 93, rigmate illustrated.
Gwladys Hopkins, "Massachusetts Masterpieces," Lincoln, MA, 2016, p. 54, plate 20, rigmate illustrated.Condition
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.
- 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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