Rare and Early Tucked-Head Black Duck Decoy by Ferdinand Bach (1888-1967)

Lot 458

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 2 by Copley Fine Art Auctions

Live

The Winter Sale 2023, Day 2

By Copley Fine Art Auctions

Feb 25, 2023

Set Reminder 2023-02-25 10:00:00 2023-02-25 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : The Winter Sale 2023, Day 2 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/copley/the-winter-sale-2023-day-2-11942 Lots 338-657 Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com

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Lot Description

Rare and Early Tucked-Head Black Duck
Ferdinand Bach (1888-1967)
Detroit, MI, c. 1926
19 in. long

This decoy and its rigmate, lot 457, represent half of the known black ducks by Bach. These rare and highly distinct birds were made for the rig of John "Buck" Bockhausen Sr. They have both been widely featured, with appearances in Johnsgard's "The Bird Decoy" book and exhibition, Walsh and Jackson's Michigan book, and at least twice in, and once on the cover of "Decoy Magazine." Bach was a professional draftsman in the automotive industry and expertly applied his talents and creative designs.

The tucked head and wide body feature intricate carving, including a detailed bill and crossed and lifted wing tips. The underside has "Buck" and "Detroit" painted on either side of the weighted wedge keel and a "F. BACH" signature.
Original paint with even gunning wear. Restoration to chipped wing tip and touch-up to rub on left shoulder.

Provenance: Johh "Buck" Bockhausen Sr. Rig, acquired from the carver
Jerry J. Catana Collection
Kangas Collection of International Folk Art and Decoys

Literature: Paul A. Johnsgard, "The Bird Decoy: An American Art Form," Lincoln, NE, 1976, p. 94, fig. 98, exact decoy illustrated. Clune Walsh Jr. and Lowell Jackson, "Waterfowl Decoys of Michigan and the Lake St. Clair Region," Detroit, MI, 1983, pl. 58, exact decoy illustrated. "Decoy Magazine," May/June 2019, p. 28, exact decoy illustrated. Gene Kangas, "Bach: The Beginning," Decoy Magazine, July/August 2014, p. 24 and front cover, 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.
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