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THBWigeon Hen by Lee Dudley (1860-1942)
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
LiveJul 24, 2016 - Jul 25, 2016
Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com
View Full Catalog (472)
- Lot Description
Wigeon Hen
Lee Dudley (1860-1942)
Knotts Island, NC, c. 1890
Dudley decoys have been held in the highest regard since the earliest days of collecting. In fact, two seminal books, William J. Mackey's "American Bird Decoys" and Joel Barber's "Wild Fowl Decoys" both begin their first chapter with stories of Dudley decoys and the authors' reverence for them. Barber's particular love of Dudleys is illustrated in the first three plates of his book; the first of which depicts two Dudley decoys prominently displayed top and center on a collection wall. In 1981 a panel of experts reviewing the decoy collection at the Shelburne Museum declared a Dudley decoy of Barber's to be the best of the museum's collection.
This decoy is one of the finest Dudley carvings ever to be offered at auction. The artist's special treatment of the wing separation and pinch-breast carving sets it apart from most of the maker's forms. William J. Mackey, Jr., in his book "American Bird Decoys, was so impressed with Dudley's work that he wrote, "the heads on Dudley's decoys are the finest the writer has ever seen.
This rare example carries excellent provenance and is in very good condition by Dudley standards. These two points cannot be overstated when considering Dudley decoys. The provenance leads directly from the George and Hope Wick Collection to the current consignor. Related examples from this rig are painted as bluebill drakes, and some consider this decoy to be a bluebill hen - an equally important and rare Dudley.
The Dudley decoy has always been known for its bold, singular form and this carving exemplifies all of the desirable attributes one looks for. To draw from Gene and Linda Kangas' "Decoys: A North American Survey," "A visual study of the complete Dudley bird form, whatever the species, reveals an uninterrupted flow from bill tip to tail's end. The successful manner in which the bill fits into the lower cheeks, the cut of the neck-base, sweeping powerful chest, and smooth, curved body combine into one of the finer sculptural solutions in the decoy world...The Dudley carving style consistently depicts both the head and body forms as a totality, resulting in a fine sculptural portrait_
The underside retains the original weight, a paper label with "66, and an "E.L.M. brand. A double stamp of the brand appears on the back as well. According to North Carolina decoy historian Kroghie Andresen the rig brand is from Pocahontas Fowling Club member Edward L. Maher.
The form, execution, rarity, condition, and provenance of this hen place it among the finest North Carolina decoys to ever be offered for sale at auction.
Old, possibly original, paint with gunning wear, age line in bill, putty applied to worn tail edges, original weight.
Provenence: E.L.M. Rig
George and Hope Wick Collection
Private Collection, acquired from the above, c. 1985
Literature: William J. Mackey, Jr., "American Bird Decoys, New York, 1965, pp. 168-170. Joel Barber, "Wild Fowl Decoys," New York, NY, 1954, pp. 1-5, plates 1-3.
Gene and Linda Kangas, "Decoys: A North American Survey, Spanish Fork, UT, 1983, pp. 3-4.
Henry A Fleckenstein, Jr., "Southern Decoys of Virginia and the Carolinas," Exton, PA, 1983, p. 218, drake rigmate illustrated.
Kroghie Andresen, "Gunnin' Birds," Charlotte, NC, 2008, p. 80, drake rigmate illustrated.
Joe Engers, ed., "1996 Year In Review, Decoy Magazine, Burtonsville, MD, 1996, p. 33, drake rigmate illustrated.
Dick McIntyre, "The Dudley Decoy, Decoy Magazine, Burtonsville, MD, March/April 1994, cover story, pp. 8-14.
Copley Fine Art Auctions, "The Sporting Sale 2011," Plymouth, MA, July 2011, lot 629, related example illustrated.
Copley Fine Art Auctions, "The Winter Sale 2011," New York, NY, January, 2011, lot 331, related example illustrated. - Shipping Info
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Shipping info
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 PICK UP THEIR ITEMS AT THE SALE SITE. ITEMS CAN BE PICKED UP BY APPOINTMENT OR SHIPPED STARTING FIVE DAYS AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THE SALE
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