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THBEarly and Important Mallard Drake, Henry Ruggles (1830-1897)
Lot 211
About Seller
Copley Fine Art Auctions
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 Estimate:
$15,000 - $20,000
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|---|---|
| $0 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
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| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $25,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Copley Fine Art Auctions
Feb 16, 2019
Set Reminder
2019-02-16 10:00:00
2019-02-16 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : The Winter Sale 2019
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/copley/the-winter-sale-2019-3820
The sale will offer the opportunity to view and take home world-class paintings and fine bird carvings. Featuring selections from the collections of Alfred Ely, L. H. LaMonte, Grant Nelson, Ronald S. Swanson, Herb Wetanson, and a descendant of Chester F. Spear among others. Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com
The sale will offer the opportunity to view and take home world-class paintings and fine bird carvings. Featuring selections from the collections of Alfred Ely, L. H. LaMonte, Grant Nelson, Ronald S. Swanson, Herb Wetanson, and a descendant of Chester F. Spear among others. Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com
View Full Catalog (389)
- 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 one-hundred-and-forty 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.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.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 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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