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THBMatthews' Rig Turned-Head Dowitcher
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 27, 2017 - Jul 28, 2017
Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com
View Full Catalog (156)
- Lot Description
Matthews' Rig Turned-Head Dowitcher
Chincoteague, VA, c. 1890
10 in. long
William Mackey collected this shorebird in his acquisition of the William Matthews' (b. 1855) rig, which was used on Virginia's Assawoman Island, located at the southern tip of what is now the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. When Mackey purchased this rig from the Matthews' estate the rig consisted of shorebird decoys carved by several different talented Virginia makers.
A dramatic turned-head shorebird decoy with distinct features, including elliptical carved eyes, a ridge down the back of the turned neck, and heart-shaped wings. The long-reaching neck is craning to the left and slightly turned, giving the bird an inquisitive appearance. The turn of the bird continues through the wing to the tip of the flared, spade-shaped tail. While the head and tail are elongated, the plump body is filled out to a ten-inch circumference.
Mackey featured this decoy, along with a yellowlegs, as the stars of the rig in his "American Bird Decoys" book.
Another fascinating feature of this decoy is the incised wing carving along its edge that begins at the center of the back and transitions down towards the tail where it suddenly becomes raised.
Excellent original paint with even gunning wear and repair to chip on right corner of tail, touch-up to eyes.
Provenance: William Matthews Rig
William J. Mackey, Jr. Collection, acquired from the estate of the above
Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Collection
Literature: William J. Mackey, Jr., "American Bird Decoys," New York, NY, 1965, plate 135, exact decoy illustrated.
Quintina Colio, "American Decoys," Ephrata, PA, 1972, p. 60, exact decoy illustrated.
Laurence Sheehan, "The Birding Life," New York, NY, 2011, p. 95, exact decoy illustrated.
Laurence Sheehan, "The Sporting Life," New York, NY, 1992, p. 80, exact decoy illustrated twice.
Exhibited: New York, New York, “The Art of the American Decoy: Folk Sculpture from the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Donal C. O’Brien Jr.,” Museum of American Folk Art, September 3–November 8, 1981.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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