Gus Wilson Oversize Preening Eider Hen

Augustus "Gus" Aaron Wilson (1864-1950) South Portland, ME, c. 1900 18 1/2 in. long

"This striking large eider decoy in a dramatic preening position ranks among the most superb examples of American folk sculpture.” - David A. Schorsch, “American Decoys II: A Folk Art Tradition," 1998

This boldly carved sea duck is one of the finest traditional Maine decoys to ever be offered at public auction. The carving features an exceptionally rendered turned head with carved eyes and upper bill, and raised wings. This impressive sculpture epitomizes the decoy as American folk art. A singular and closely related drake in original paint is held in the Jerry Lauren Collection and appears to be a rigmate.

Representing North America’s largest duck, this oversize decoy measures eighteen-and-one-half-inches in length. The two-piece construction features a prodigious eight-inch by four-inch inletted head. The bill tip just touches the back left corner of the inlay, fully completing the graceful turn while maintaining structural integrity. The bottom displays an anchor line ring fastened with an old fence staple.

Wilson was born “Down East,” on Mount Desert Island, Maine. Though he is foremost remembered as a carver, he was also a boat builder, waterman, outdoorsman, and lighthouse keeper. He was an attendant to a number of Maine’s lighthouses, including the Great Duck Island Light, Goose Rocks Station on Fox Island, Two Lights Station on Cape Elizabeth, Marshalls Point Light at Port Clyde, and Spring Point Light in Casco Bay. As a lighthouse keeper, he was perfectly positioned to study eider poses at all hours and tides and it permitted him the downtime to carve.

Wilson’s interests were, by no means, limited to decoys. He carved a variety of songbirds, decoratives, weathervanes, and big cats. A pair of Wilson’s tigers are featured in the American Identities exhibit, on display as a part of the permanent collection of the Brooklyn Museum in Brooklyn, New York.

Though Wilson is widely celebrated for his variety, it is important to note the form, quality, condition, and scale of this hen, which separates it from other known examples. Original paint with even gunning wear, small tail chip, spot of original fill on breast and a few small cracks.

Provenance: Private Collection

Literature: David A. Schorsch and Eileen M. Michaelis, "American Decoys II," Boyertown, PA, 1998, front cover and p. 55, exact decoy illustrated. Frank Maresca and Roger Ricco, "American Vernacular: New Discoveries In Folk, Self-Taught, And Outsider Sculpture," New York, NY, 2002, p. 42, Lauren Collection drake illustrated.

Provenance

Private Collection