Gus Wilson Gull

Augustus "Gus" Aaron Wilson (1864-1950) South Portland, ME, c. 1920 17 1/2 in. long

A rare, life-size, standing gull carving by this important Maine decoy and folk art carver. The bird exhibits an open and inserted bill, incised eyes, an inletted head, and heavy wire legs with looped wire feet. Wilson carved more than just working decoys and this early work appears to have lived outside, likely as a decorative ornament. Original paint is mostly worn to wood with age lines.

Literature: Gene Kangas, "Gus Wilson, Folk Artist," Decoy Magazine, Lewes, DE, November/December 1994, p. 10, related carving illustrated.