Lothrop Holmes Ruddy Turnstone

Lothrop Turner Holmes (1824-1899) Kingston, MA, c. 1855 8 1/2 in. long

Unlike many professional carvers who earned a living selling their decoys, Lothrop Holmes, of Kingston, MA, carved decoys for his own rig used along the marshes of the Jones River and Duxbury Bay. For gainful employment, Holmes first worked the dangerous job of pouring molten iron at New England Foundries.

In cataloging this decoy’s record-setting rigmate, Massachusetts Masterpieces: The Decoy As Art author and curator Gwladys Hopkins writes, “Where to start? This seductive little turnstone and his companion, the blackbellied plover are superb portraits done by an unusually observant, sensitive and talented artist. Everything about this calico bird is beautifully captured: its profile, proportions, and attitude-and it is masterfully crafted in form, finish and coloring. The familiar paint with its fanciful curlicues and lush, easy brushwork is exceptional.”

Lothrop Turner Holmes is among the earliest and finest shorebird makers from any region. As Hopkins points out “these shorebirds are rare” with only “three perhaps four ruddy turnstone” known.

This decoy’s rigmate, discussed above, set a then-world record for any shorebird decoy selling for $470,000 in 2000 and now resides in the esteemed collection of Paul Tudor Jones II.

No other turnstone maker’s work is held in higher esteem than that of Holmes. In original paint with even gunning wear.

Provenance: Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Collection

Literature: Gwladys Hopkins, "Massachusetts Masterpieces: The Decoy As Art," Lincoln, MA, 2016, p. 46, plate 16, rigmate illustrated. Sotheby’s and Guyette and Schmidt, “American Waterfowl Decoys: The Distinguished Collection of Dr. James M. McCleery,” New York, NY, 2000, p. 205, lot 537, rigmate illustrated.

Provenance

Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Collection