Gus Wilson Mackey Rocking-head Scoter

Augustus "Gus" Aaron Wilson (1864-1950) South Portland, ME, c. 1900 18 1/4 in. long

"This White-winged Scoter has almost everything—bold, fine carving, excellent conformation, and good color pattern, plus a head that bows to each live counterpart. The workmanship on the rocking head is very clever." — William J. Mackey Jr. discussing this exact decoy in "American Bird Decoys"

A white-winged scoter with Wilson's innovative rocking-head design to give the bird a more life-like appearance. This sea duck displays raised wings and the Mackey collection stamp on the underside. Original paint with light gunning wear, reset crack inside rocking joint. Original imperfections to wood.

Provenance: William J. Mackey Jr. Collection Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection

Literature: William J. Mackey Jr., "American Bird Decoys," New York, NY, 1965, p. 90, pl. 71, exact decoy illustrated. Richard A. Bourne Co., Inc., "Very Rare and Important American Bird Decoys from the Collection of the late William J. Mackey Jr. of Belford, New Jersey," Hyannis, MA, 1973, Session IV, lot 179, exact decoy listed.

Provenance

William J. Mackey Jr. Collection Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection