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THBPreening Canvasback Drake Decoy by Charles "Shang" Wheeler (1872-1949)
About Seller
20 Winter Street
Pembroke, MA 02359
United States
Founded in 2005, Copley Fine Art Auctions is a boutique auction house specializing in antique decoys and American, sporting, and wildlife paintings. Over the course of the last two decades, the firm has set auction records for not only individual decoy makers, but also entire carving regions. Copley...Read more
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About Auction
LiveJul 13, 2023
Lots 1-243 Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com
View Full Catalog (243)
- Lot Description
Preening Canvasback Drake
Charles "Shang" Wheeler (1872-1949)
Stratford, CT, c. 1920
13 ½ in. long
“Today the men who really get birds when competition is tough are the ones most particular about having better decoys.” — ”Shang” Wheeler, “Duck Shooting Along the Atlantic Tidewater,” 1947
Canvasback decoys by Wheeler are exceedingly rare. One of the only comparables is held in the Elaine and Alan Haid Collection. The Evans example relates to Wheeler's prize-winning mallard, which now resides in the Shelburne Museum. After his 1923 prize, Wheeler continued to dominate the carving championships for decades to come, and deemed this example worthy of competition as is evidenced by the “19” sticker affixed to its breast. All of the qualities Wheeler is celebrated for are on display in this preener. The head is artfully and accurately cranked entirely around to rest across the back. The back and wings have pronounced carving and are finished with Shang’s best combed vermiculation. In the creation of this hollow bird, Wheeler has produced a lasting tribute to “The King of Ducks" that ranks among the finest Connecticut decoys extant.
Original paint with even wear, including a few dings and rubs.
Provenance: Thomas M. Evans Jr. Collection
Literature: Dixon MacD. Merkt, "Shang. A Biography of Charles E. Wheeler," Spanish Fork, UT, 1984, p. 145, plates 131 and 132, related hen 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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Copley does not offer in-house packing or shipping. For clients who require shipping, please complete the Shipping Release Form and return it with your payment. The form includes a list of shippers we frequently work with.
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