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THBPair of Hollow Nantucket Merganser Decoys
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
LiveMar 4, 2022
Lots 1-264 Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com
View Full Catalog (263)
- Lot Description
Hollow Nantucket Merganser Pair
Nantucket, MA, c. 1850
15 3/4 in. long
"The hollow construction and head and tail carving make this decoy outstanding." — Shirley and John Delph, discussing this drake in "New England Decoys"
These unique and stylish “Morton” mergansers have hollow bodies with applied bottom boards, a feature rarely seen in New England. They have subtle chine carving at the front edges of the wings and distinctive wing-tip carving. This wing-tip carving and the drake's pounced breast paint can be seen in some of the unknown maker's golden plover decoys, including those with the W. S. Morton brand.
The Morton moniker comes from the rig of William Saxton Morton (1809-1871), a wealthy attorney from Quincy, Massachusetts. Morton was also the founder of the Quincy Mutual Fire Insurance Company in 1851. W. S. Morton’s rig brand is commonly found in a distinct group of early flat-bottomed Nantucket decoys.
These mergansers are finished with elaborate plumage. The wing patterns are finely rendered with the drake’s design showing striking parallels to the work of the fellow 19th century Massachusetts master, Lothrop T. Holmes (1824-1899).
One other single hen is known to exist. The drake's bottom board is branded "Q" for the Quandy Collection.
Original paint with even gunning wear. Drake has age lines, chips to bottom board, imperfection on small hole to front left side, very minor spot touch-up to minimal flaking, and one-half bill replacement.
Provenance: Quandy Collection (drake only)
Lew Horton Collection
Literature: John and Shirley Delph, "New England Decoys," Exton, PA, 1981, pp. 86 and 104, exact drake illustrated twice.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.Condition
- Shipping Info
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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.
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