Mackey-Wheeler Black Duck Decoy by Charles E. "Shang" Wheeler (1872-1949)

Lot 179

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

The Winter Sale 2023, Day 1 by Copley Fine Art Auctions

Live

The Winter Sale 2023, Day 1

By Copley Fine Art Auctions

Feb 24, 2023

Set Reminder 2023-02-24 10:00:00 2023-02-24 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : The Winter Sale 2023, Day 1 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/copley/the-winter-sale-2023-day-1-11939 Lots 1-337 Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com

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Lot Description

Mackey-Wheeler Black Duck
Charles E. "Shang" Wheeler (1872-1949)
Stratford, CT, c. 1940
17 1/4 in. long

This Connecticut classic features a refined hollow pine body, turned head, and Shang's signature scratch feather paint on the head. Beyond the excellent form and condition of the carving, its history is remarkable. Much of which is referenced on its underside of this decoy.

One painted inscription by its first owner after Wheeler reads, "Given by 'Shang' to his friend Chas. Disbrow 1940."Dixon Merkt describes Disbrow as "one of Shang's most accomplished disciples."Disbrow also notes the transfer "From C.D. 3/27/54"to Bill Mackey. "From Bill Mackey 1955"is written in pencil noting the transfer to fellow collector Frank Ashe. A brass tag numbered "222"is attributed to the Ashe Collection. After passing through the Ashe family, the bird settled in the Donald Kirson Collection and bears his sticker. Like many of Kirson's best birds, this decoy was exhibited at the Ward Museum in Salisbury, Maryland, and is marked as such. Lastly, the underside bears a large debossed "WHEELER."
Excellent original paint with light gunning wear. Tight hairline crack in bill has been perfectly reset with a minute spot of touch-up.

Provenance: Charles Disbrow Collection, acquired from the maker
William J. Mackey Collection, acquired from the above
Frank Ashe Collection
Private Collection, by descent from the above
Donald Kirson Collection

Literature: The Ward Museum, "Masters of Decoy and Wildfowl Carvings: The Kirson Collection," Salisbury, MD, 2011, p. 4, exact decoy 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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