Leigh F. Witherspoon Starr-hunter Merganser Hen

Leigh F. Witherspoon (1889-1971) North Haven, ME, c. 1920 17 in. long

A sleek and refined merganser hen with incised wing tip and tail carving, a sawtooth crest, and Witherspoon's signature diamond-shaped eyes. This two-piece head is also inletted and the open bill is holding a mollusk.

A lifelong resident of the island of North Haven, Witherspoon learned how to carve decoys from his uncle around the turn of the 20th century. He was also a skilled carpenter, a boat builder, and a commercial herring fisherman. Witherspoon also made violins, and the incised backs of this and other sheldrakes are reminiscent of the strings of a violin. The underside has a Starr Collection ink stamp and a Hunter Collection tag imprint. Original paint with light gunning wear, ding to right shoulder, and some restoration to bill.

Provenance: Dr. George Ross Starr Collection Charles Hunter Collection Private Collection

Literature: Gene Kangas, “Leigh Witherspoon: Independence was in his blood,” Decoy Magazine, Mar/April 2022, p. 28, exact carving illustrated two times. George Ross Starr Jr. M.D., "Decoys of the Atlantic Flyway," New York, NY, 1974, p. 53 and 56, pl. 2 and 14, exact carving illustrated twice.

Provenance

Dr. George Ross Starr Collection Charles Hunter Collection Private Collection