Tom Wilson Wigeon Drake

Tom Wilson (1863-1940) Ipswich, MA, c. 1900 In 1951, folk art collector Nina Fletcher Little discovered thirteen unused shorebird, duck, and goose decoys in a North Shore hunting camp in Massachusetts. These birds led to the identification of Tom Wilson as a carver as well as the model for artist Frank Benson's "Old Tom." This extremely rare and early decoy is believed to be one of only three widgeon known to exist.

This widgeon displays two-piece solid body construction with meticulously painted feather detail distinguishing individual feathers from the back of the neck to the tip of the tail. Wilson went so far as to finish the feathers of the front half of the back with an exceptional hand painted vermiculated pattern. The head exhibits a tight paint pattern, fine glass taxidermy eyes, and nostril and nail carving on the bill. Original paint, the bill has been reset with some touch-up underneath, minor touchup to single paint flake on back of head.