Keyes Chadwick Widgeon Pair

Henry Keyes Chadwick (1865-1958) Oak Bluffs, MA, c. 1930 This pair of decoys represents "the best of the Cape and Islands." According to Stanley Murphy, "He [A. Elmer Crowell] once said to Chadwick, with witnesses present, 'Chad, you are a better carver than I am,' and then added: 'but, you can't paint worth a damn!'" This pair of widgeon was carved by Chadwick and painted by Crowell. The hen is branded "W.E.Dugan" and both bear old paper labels identifying both carver and painter on the bottom. With their clean and elegant forms, blended Crowell paint, and warm patina these birds are two of the finest Chadwick widgeon to ever come to market. Original paint with a coat of sealer. Both have tight age cracks along the bottom and light wear from handling.

Provenance: William E. Dugan Rig, Vineyard Haven Private Collection, Massachusetts

Literature: Stanley Murphy, "Martha's Vineyard Decoys," Boston, MA, 1978, pp. 48, 49, plate 28, rigmates illustrated.

Provenance

William E. Dugan Rig, Vineyard Haven Private Collection, Massachusetts