Jimmy Bowden Scoter

James Bowden (1849-1910) Marblehead, MA, c. 1880 James Bowden, a renowned furniture maker, is often viewed as the best of the Marblehead carvers. This fat football-shaped sea duck decoy displays a slightly turned head with tack eyes. The bottom has a Martha's Vineyard style round inset weight, hand made staples in the front and back for rigging. There is also a small round inset counter weight on one side to perfectly balance the decoy on the water. Black was the only color needed to silhouette the decoy and the old paint has a beautiful patina with tight even craquelure. There is a small chip missing under the bill; early scar to one cheek. Original paint with even gunning wear and minor flaking, rubs to tail, bill and top of the head and an age crack along the bottom.

Provenance: Peter Brams Collection

Literature: Joe Engers, ed., "The Great Book of Wildfowl Decoys," San Diego, CA, 1990, pp. 56-57.

Provenance

Peter Brams Collection