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THBThe Masterworks High-Head Blue-Winged Teal Rig
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
LiveFeb 22, 2025
Lots 262-501 Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com
View Full Catalog (241)
- Lot Description
The Masterworks High-Head Blue-Winged Teal Rig
Illinois River Valley, c. 1900
11 1/2 in. long
"...Masterworks of the Illinois River, an exceptional collection of Illinois River Valley decoys that is nationally recognized as the gold standard." — Zac Zetterberg, Curator of Art & the Center for American Decoys
This dynamic rig includes two pairs of teal showing highly distinct forms and details. They remain among the most compelling of the Illinois River's great unknowns. The high-head poses are reminiscent of "Tube" Dawson, however, with more refinements. Two of the birds have turned heads. The preener has only one eye showing; the maker must have been a highly adept student of waterfowl, as ducks do, indeed, exhibit this behavior, particularly when on the outside of a resting flock. All of the birds have eye groves, pinched carving in front of the wings, and carved keels with poured weights. Each is finished with bright and lively plumage.
Original paint with gunning wear. The straight-head drake's neck seam is reset and lower slice of bill is restored. Drakes' heads appear to be in old working paint.
Provenance: Charles and Walter Drennen Rig
Joseph and Donna Tonelli Collection
Masterworks of the Illinois River Collection
Literature: Stephen B. O'Brien Jr. and Julie Carlson, "Masterworks of the Illinois River," Boston, MA, 2005, p. 147, exact rig illustrated. Tandy Lacy, "The Wooden Bird: Heritage Bird Carvers of the Upper Illinois River Valley," Washburn, IL, 1989, p. 26, three exact decoys illustrated. Exhibited: Salisbury, Maryland, "The Illinois River Meets the Chesapeake," Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, September 2-November 13, 2005. Peoria, Illinois, "The Wooden Bird Exhibition," Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences, January 7?February 18, 1990.Condition
Please refer to the description; if you have questions, email colin@copleyart.com.
- Shipping Info
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Shipping info
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