Gus Wilson Preening White-winged Scoter

Augustus “Gus” Aaron Wilson (1864-1950) South Portland, ME, c. 1900 16 in. long

Exhibiting a wide body with clean lines, this Wilson sea duck showcases his preening archetype. The maker’s classic Monhegan Island model is regarded as one of Maine’s most important contributions to the art of decoy carving. The preening head is contained in a single piece of wood which is inletted into the body.

Closely related models have been prized by America’s top decoy and folk art collectors, including Thomas K. Figge, Donal C. O’Brien Jr., Jim Doherty, Russell Aitken, William J. Mackey Jr., Adele Earnest, and fashion moguls Jerry Lauren and Edwin Lewis, among others. In addition to the white-winged scoter pair seen on these pages, Dr. Muller was so enamored with the forms that he owned a related surf scoter pair which was sold in Session I of the Muller Collection in 2020. Original and working paint with even gunning wear, tight age line in tail, original wood knots along right flank.

Provenance: Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection, acquired in 1977

Literature: Richard A. Bourne Co., Inc., "Very Rare and Important American Bird Decoys from the Collection of the late William J. Mackey Jr. of Belford, New Jersey," Hyannis, MA, 1974, Session V, lot 198, exact decoy illustrated. William J. Mackey Jr., "The Booby Trap...," “North American Decoys: Wildfowl Carvers and Collectors News,” Spring 1970, p. 14, exact decoy illustrated and discussed. Henry A. Fleckenstein Jr., "Southern Decoys of Virginia and The Carolinas," Exton, PA, 1983, pl. XLV, p. 48, exact decoy illustrated. Kroghie Andresen, "Gunnin' Birds," Charlotte, NC, 2008, front cover and pp. 60-69, related examples illustrated. William J. Mackey Jr., "American Bird Decoys," “New Edition,” New York, NY, 1987, p. 168, pl. 139, related example illustrated.

Provenance

Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection, acquired in 1977