Early and Important Mallard Drake Decoy, Henry Ruggles (1830-1897)

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The Sporting Sale 2021, Day 2

By Copley Fine Art Auctions

Jul 10, 2021

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• Lot Description
  Early and Important Mallard Drake
  Henry Ruggles (1830-1897)
  Henry, IL, c. 1870
  17 in. long
  
  "One of the earliest decoy carvers in the Illinois River Valley, Henry Ruggles created very fine and distinctive birds. Very few of his decoys have survived and been found, a fact that has limited recognition of his name. His style, however, influenced a generation of carvers, including Charles Perdew. Finding any Ruggles' decoys in original paint has proven difficult for collectors, making this prime mallard example all the more desirable." -Stephen B. O"Brien Jr. and Julie Carlson, "Masterworks of the Illinois River"
  
  Finding any Ruggles' decoys in original paint has proven difficult for collectors, making this prime mallard example a highly collectible Illinois River masterwork.
  
  An apprentice studio painter in St. Louis, Missouri, Ruggles was a talented portraiture and landscape artist. In Henry, he was also noted locally as a musician; in the summer months, he played violin, mandolin, and guitar for the pleasure of family and friends.
  
  Hunting and fishing were Ruggles' true passions. To aid in his success in luring waterfowl, he carved graceful birds with sleek bodies and elongated heads. Ruggles fashioned hollow, feather-weight decoys that were wide bodied in comparison to other Illinois decoys. Another recognizable Ruggles carving trait is the unusual squared tail with which he finished his decoys, as seen on this mallard. His painting style was well honed with bold, sure-handed brush strokes.
  
  Several Ruggles and Robert Elliston decoys migrated north to Wisconsin where affluent Chicago hunters brought them to the prestigious Nee-Pee-Nauk Club. Organized by A. H. Sellers in 1882 and situated by the Horicon Marsh, the Ne-Pee-Nauk Club is on some of the best hunting grounds in Wisconsin. The club boasted a distinguished membership, including Civil War General Philip Sheridan (1831-1888) along with numerous Chicago congressmen and doctors who would venture by train up from the city. The club has remained in continuous operation for nearly 140 years and is the oldest active duck club in Wisconsin.
  
  The underside of this early mallard drake is branded "DENTON" and "MORRIS SELLERS" and the lead-strip weight is embossed "CHICAGO ILL."
  In original paint with even gunning wear, including a minor chip on left side of neck seam.
  
  Provenance: Morris Sellers and Denton Rigs
  Herb Wetanson Collection
  
  Literature: Stephen B. O'Brien Jr. and Julie Carlson, "Masterworks of the Illinois River," Boston, MA, 2005, p. 21, similar decoy illustrated. Gene and Linda Kangas, "Decoys: A North American Survey," Spanish Fork, UT, 1983, p. 245, pl. 374, related mallard illustrated. Joe Engers ed., "The Great Book of Wildfowl Decoys," San Diego, CA, 1990, p. 228, related example 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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