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THBTucked-Head Goldeneye Decoy, Albert Davids Laing (1811-1886)
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
LiveFeb 19, 2021
Lots 1-292 Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com
View Full Catalog (292)
- Lot Description
Albert Davids Laing (1811-1886)
New York, NY, c. 1850
14 in. long
"...no name is held in higher esteem than Albert Laing.” Henry Chitwood
Albert Laing was raised and began waterfowling in New York City during the early 19th century, placing him as one of the earliest known decoy makers. He spent time on the Chesapeake Bay and Delaware River before settling in Connecticut, where his decoys would set the template for the region's style. There is no evidence that Laing ever sold decoys commercially, and it is believed that at the time of his death the 111 decoys from his gunning rig constituted the majority of his entire output. Laing's early, yet refined carvings are coveted today and few opportunities arise for collectors to own them. According to Chitwood, Laing's entire hunting rig was sold upon his death in 1886 for $45 (about 40 cents each).
Well ahead of his time, Laing's innovative carving style incorporated several design insights into his craft, including positioning the seam line of his hollow carved decoys above the waterline to prevent water from seeping into the hollow body. His decoys are carved with a full proud breast. Perhaps his greatest contribution was adding a lifelike quality to his decoys utilizing a variety of head positions.
Many of the birds from Laing's gunning rig were acquired by none other than Charles E. "Shang" Wheeler (1872-1949). This decoy was hunted by Wheeler until the 1940s. Thomas Marshall found this Laing decoy to be of significant historical and aesthetic value and decided to retire it from gunning. The underside of this early decoy bears a white Marshall Collection label and the O'Brien Collection ink stamp.
In old working repaint with gunning wear.
Provenance: Albert D. Laing Rig
Charles E. "Shang" Wheeler Rig
Thomas C. Marshall, acquired from the above c. 1945
Donal C. O'Brien Jr. Collection, acquired from the above
John Dillon Collection, acquired from the sale of the above
Literature: Henry C. Chitwood, "Connecticut Decoys," West Chester, PA, 1987, p. 29, related decoy illustrated. Peter Johnson and Alf Wannenburgh, The World of Shooting, Lausanne, Switzerland, 1987, pp. 259-261, exact decoy illustrated. Copley Fine Art Auctions, The Sporting Sale 2017, Plymouth, MA, July 2017, lot 33, exact decoy 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
- 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 shipping 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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