Masterworks Preening Pintail Hen Decoy by Charles Perdew (1874-1963)

Lot 199

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 Sporting Sale 2023, Day 1 by Copley Fine Art Auctions

Live

The Sporting Sale 2023, Day 1

By Copley Fine Art Auctions

Jul 13, 2023

Set Reminder 2023-07-13 10:00:00 2023-07-13 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : The Sporting Sale 2023, Day 1 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/copley/the-sporting-sale-2023-day-1-12989 Lots 1-243 Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com

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Lot Description

Masterworks Preening Pintail Hen
Charles Perdew (1874-1963)
and Edna Perdew (1882-1974) Henry, IL, c. 1925
14 1/4 in. long

“This graceful decoy is rare,” writes "Perdew" author Ann Lacy of the nearly identical rigmate and the only known comparable. She continues, “...both as a Pintail sleeper and as an unusually fine example of Edna’s subtle yet distinctive painting style. Note the wispy curls of the white along the bars of the speculum and the bold delineation of the feathers across the back between the wings… Judging by its condition this decoy may never have been placed in the water.”

Of their many styles, the Perdews are most revered for Charlie’s masterful preening decoys finished with Edna’s best paint. Both Robert Elliston and Charles Perdew felt that the presence of these turned-head forms added a suggested calm to the rig that was more enticing to waterfowl. Whether this actually made any difference to the circling birds is subject to debate; however, the graceful pose inherent in these styles is certainly desirable among collectors.

While this decoy and its lone comparable have been widely published and publicly exhibited, this represents the first time either has been offered at auction. Along with its rigmate many consider it to be the finest Perdew pintail known to exist.
Excellent original paint with minimal wear and a faint age line in the bill.

Provenance: Joe and Donna Tonelli Collection
Jim Cook Collection, acquired from the above
Masterworks of the Illinois River Collection, acquired from the above

Literature: Stephen B. O'Brien Jr. and Julie Carlson, "Masterworks of the Illinois River," Boston, MA, 2005, p. 79, exact decoy illustrated.
Ann Tandy Lacy, "Perdew: An Illinois River Tradition," Muncie, IN, 1993, front dust-jacket cover, related mallard illustrated, p. 147, Cook Collection rigmate illustrated.

Exhibited: Peoria, Illinois, “American Decoy: The Invention,” Peoria Riverfront Museum, February 9–April 28, 2019.
Salisbury, Maryland, “The Illinois River Meets the Chesapeake,” Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, September 2 - November 13, 2005.

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.
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