George Boyd Red-breasted Merganser Drake

George Boyd (1873-1941) Seabrook, NH, c. 1910 This racy decoy features a long, wide body with a broad paddle tale identical to the hen’s with the exception of a slightly higher back. The delicately carved head is turned to the left approximately 30 degrees with a forward reaching and uplifted posture. The surface features both concise paint patterns and the artist’s finest stippled paint along the sides. True to the species, Boyd used red glass eyes for this drake. The pencil thin upturned bill features nail carving and a mortise and tenon fit hardwood bill, identical in construction to the maker’s shorebirds. The bottom retains the “McCLEERY” ink stamp. Outstanding original paint with light even gunning wear and a tight age line along the bottom.

Provenance: Dale and Gary Guyette Collection Dr. James M. McCleery Collection Private Collection

Literature: Sotheby's and Guyette & Schmidt, "American Waterfowl Decoys: The Distinguished Collection of Dr. James M. McCleery," New York, NY, 2000, lot 149, exact decoy illustrated.

Jim Cullen, "Finely Carved and Nicely Painted: The Life, Art and Decoys of George H. Boyd, Seabrook, NH, 1873-1941," Rye, NH, 2009, p. 36, exact decoy illustrated

Provenance

Dale and Gary Guyette Collection Dr. James M. McCleery Collection Private Collection