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THBFeeding Dowitcher Dave "Umbrella" Watson (1851-1938)
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 28, 2017 - Jul 29, 2017
Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com
View Full Catalog (346)
- Lot Description
Feeding Dowitcher
Dave "Umbrella" Watson (1851-1938)
Chincoteague, VA, c. 1910
10 1/2 in. long
This shorebird decoy has been part of the William J. Mackey, Jr. and the William H. Purnell, Jr. collections and bears their stamp and brand, respectively. Bill Purnell put together one of the greatest Southern decoy collections ever assembled. He owned a half dozen of the best examples from this shorebird rig, describing this particular decoy as "the best" among that group.
Made from mahogany, this Chincoteague Island shorebird decoy displays a feeding posture with deep V-cut wing definition.
William J. Mackey, Jr. wrote in “Classic Shorebird Decoys: A Portfolio of Paintings,” “So little is known about Watson and his work that one wonders how such famous gunners as Van Campen Heilner came to have the Gooseville Gun Club stocked with Watson's decoys. Of course, he was head and shoulders over all local competition. It is only within the last few years, however, that his shorebirds have been identified. The pert dowitcher shown was part of a little group found in Andy Dirksen's clam house, where they had gathered dust for many years. Andy had ordered them from Dave Watson, so the evidence was complete. Since that happy day, a few more pieces have turned up that can be attributed to him.”
Original paint with even gunning wear, a chip under bill, and three-quarter bill repair.
Provenance: William J. Mackey, Jr. Collection
William H. Purnell, Jr. Collection
Grant Nelson Collection
Literature: Cameron T. McIntyre, "Ira Hudson: Creating the perfect Virginia decoy," Decoy Magazine, Lewes, DE, September/October, 1995, p. 15, exact decoy illustrated.
Sotheby's and Guyette & Schmidt, "American Waterfowl Decoys: The Distinguished Collection of Dr. James M. McCleery," New York, NY, 2000, lot 46, similar decoy illustrated.
Henry H. Stansbury, "Ira D. Hudson and Family: Chincoteague Carvers," Lewes, DE, 2002, pp. 140-141, similar decoys illustrated.
Milton C. Weiler and William J. Mackey, Jr., "Classic Shorebird Decoys: A Portfolio of Paintings," New York, NY, 1971, plate 24, 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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