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THBDowitcher Decoy, Charles Sumner Bunn (1865-1952) or William "Bill" Bowman (1824-1906)
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
LiveFeb 15, 2020
Charleston Marriott, 170 Lockwood Blvd., Charleston, SC 29403 Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com
View Full Catalog (533)
- Lot Description
Dowitcher
Charles Sumner Bunn (1865-1952)
Shinnecock, NY
or William "Bill" Bowman (1824-1906) Bangor, ME and Lawrence, NY, c. 1900 9 in. long In 1971, Milton Weiler’s “Classic Shorebird Decoys” portfolio was published with text by William J. Mackey Jr. Across from Weiler’s Plate No. 3, illustrating related shorebirds, Mackey writes: “In hand, Bowman’s decoys have the feel of real birds. His knowledge and study of the live bird and his skill with a knife transferred the feel of the wishbone, the unfolded wings and the modeling of the bone structure to blocks of wood. His was a unique talent not given to any other decoy maker.” Mackey also states, “nothing finer has been found ever since.” One of the finest examples of this species known to exist, the carver’s best work can be seen here. A closely related Herrick-Ward yellowlegs with Herrick-Ward provenance was featured on the front cover of Copley’s Winter Sale 2017 catalog.
Excellent original paint with light gunning wear including minor chips and rubs to wing tips and tail.
Provenance: Private Collection, Texas
Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection, acquired from the above
Literature: Copley Fine Art Auctions, "The Winter Sale 2017," February 17, front cover and lot 237, Herrick-Ward yellowlegs illustrated.
The Ward Museum, "The Decoys of Long Island," Salisbury, MD, 2010, p. 39, related example illustrated.
Frank Schmidt and Gary Guyette, "The Art of Deception: Waterfowl Decoys from the Collection of Paul Tudor Jones II," St. Michaels, MD, 2006, p. 57, related decoys illustrated.
Joel Barber, "Wild Fowl Decoys," New York, NY, 1954, p. 79, related example illustrated.
Robert Shaw, "Call to the Sky: The Decoy Collection of James M. McCleery, M.D.," Houston, TX, 1992, p. 37, related examples illustrated.
George Reiger, “Floaters and Stick-Ups,” Boston, MA, 1986, p. 171, related dowitcher illustrated.
Paul A. Johnsgard, "The Bird Decoy: An American Art Form," Lincoln, NE, 1976, p. 161, Herrick-Ward yellowlegs 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
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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 email info@copleyart.com for a shipping form. 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.
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