John Brooks Preening Brant

John Brooks (1879-1962) Freeland, Prince Edward Island, Canada, c. 1930 13 in. long

This Maritime masterwork exhibits a deep preening head pose. It is mounted on a long steel rod for use as a stick-up decoy. Maritime Canada decoy specialists Dale and Gary Guyette discuss the relationship between Brooks' decoys and John Ramsey's, noting, "They are extremely similar except for having slightly different paint and rough undersides." Original paint with even gunning wear, some discoloration to right side. Some original imperfections to wood, including knot in tail and age line along lower left side.

Provenance: Lew Horton Collection

Literature: Robert Shaw, "Bird Decoys of North America," New York, NY, 2010, p. 33, related John Ramsey example illustrated. Dale and Gary Guyette, "Decoys of Maritime Canada," Exton, PA, 1983, pp. 110-111, and 120, related brant discussed and illustrated. Joe Engers, ed., "The Great Book of Wildfowl Decoys," San Diego, CA, 1990, p. 276, closely related example illustrated.

Provenance

Lew Horton Collection