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THBThe McCleery King Merganser Decoy, Joe King (1835-1913)
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 9, 2021
Lots 1-246 Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com
View Full Catalog (246)
- Lot Description
The McCleery King Merganser
Joe King (1835-1913)
Manahawkin, NJ, c. 1880
16 in. long
The McCleery King merganser decoy is a New Jersey icon. This is a singular surviving decoy created by one of the region"s earliest stylistic innovators.
This early McCleery bird relates closely to a Hillman Collection Lloyd Parker (1859-1922) merganser pair pictured in the "Hundred Greatest." That said, this King decoy likely predates the noteworthy Parkers by several decades, and reigns as the archetype. Discussing the Hillman-Parker pair, catalogers of the birds stated, "...they are the finest pair of birds to come out of the state of New Jersey." This King is distinguished by several notable treatments, including a detailed crest, intricate bill, and a sweeping neck line with pronounced shoulder delineations.
Though Dr. McCleery and James Doherty both attributed this carving to King, others have surmised it could be the work of a Liberty Price, also of Manahawkin. The underside bears an inset rectangular weight and a "McCLEERY" collection stamp.
Excellent original paint with minimal gunning wear and a hairline crack in neck.
Provenance: Jack and Leila Toothill Collection
Dr. James M. McCleery Collection
Private Collection, Connecticut acquired from the sale of the above
Literature: James R. Doherty, "Classic New Jersey Decoys," Louisville, KY, 2011, p. 151, pl. 308, exact bird illustrated. Sotheby's and Guyette and Schmidt, "American Waterfowl Decoys: The Distinguished Collection of Dr. James M. McCleery," New York, NY, January 22-23, 2000, p. 156, lot 393, exact carving illustrated. Henry A. Fleckenstein Jr., "New Jersey Decoys," Exton, PA, 1983, p. 127, pl. 280, related decoy illustrated. Guyette and Schmidt, "Important Auction of Rare Waterfowl Decoys from the Collection of John Hillman, April 25 & 26, 1996," West Farmington, ME, 1996, p. 34, lot 113, related examples by Lloyd Parker illustrated. Loy S. Harrell Jr., "Decoys: North America"s One Hundred Greatest," Iola, WI, 2000, pp. 40-41, related examples by Lloyd Parker illustrated.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
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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. Please be aware that internet bidders may NOT not pick up their items at the sale. Items will be available for pick up by appointment or by shippers five days after the sale.
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