Folger Family Early Hollow Golden Plover With Raised Wing Tips

Folger Family Nantucket, MA, c. 1840 9 in. long

“To me,” wrote Donal C. O’Brien Jr. “...these are the greatest of all the Nantucket Golden Plovers; very early 1800s.” Indeed, this decoy and the very small number of birds by the maker are among the island’s most coveted decoys. Donal O’Brien collected four rigmates and two more similar to lot 363. Donal acquired some of his early Folgers directly from Franklin Folger Webster (1895-1980), one of which was his first pick from the Webster collection. Only one example of these early Folgers has surfaced outside of the O’Brien Collections.

Beyond the rarity and provenance of this feather-weight carving Donal O’Brien noted his belief that these Folgers influenced A. Elmer Crowell and that Adele Earnest thought so as well. Donal O’Brien noted his belief that the Nantucket makers influenced A. Elmer Crowell and that Adele Earnest thought so as well. This stands the test of reason as a vast majority of the Nantucket decoys predate the work of Crowell and we know of at least one rig of Nantucket decoys that Crowell repainted prior to 1900. Earlier than Cobbs, the shorebirds of Nantucket rank up there with the top carvings of all time.

This hollowed calling form has refined lines, a full breast, and carved raised wings which are raised and separated above the tail. The complex form was finished with high-contrast plumage with a white headband, a mottled breast, and white stippling on the back.

Given their age, provenance and style the best attributions are to Franklin Folger Webster’s forefathers three or four generations prior, these being William Folger (1785-1865) or his son Franklin Folger Sr. (1815-1895). One of Donal O’Brien’s birds of this model can be seen in the “Nantucket Island No. 2” plate of Mackey and Weiler’s “Classic Shorebird Decoys.”

“Golden Plovers visited the island of Nantucket, Massachusetts, with predictable regularity late in August. Most of the decoys used for them are both old and choice.” — William J. Mackey Jr., “American Bird Decoys” Original paint with moderate gunning wear, including rubs to brows, a maker's patch is original to the carving.

Provenance: Franklin Folger Webster Collection Allan "Rocket" Royal Collection, acquired from the above Stephen B. O'Brien Sr. Collection, acquired from the above in 1975

Literature: Milton C. Weiler and William J. Mackey Jr., "Classic Shorebird Decoys: A Portfolio of Paintings," New York, NY, 1971, pl. 16, rigmate illustrated. William J. Mackey Jr., "American Bird Decoys," New York, NY, 1965, p. 76, Nantucket decoys discussed.

Provenance

Franklin Folger Webster Collection Allan "Rocket" Royal Collection, acquired from the above Stephen B. O'Brien Sr. Collection, acquired from the above in 1975