John Graham Blue-winged Teal

John Graham (1822-1912) Charlestown, MD, c. 1880 12 1/2 in. long

An exceptional Upper Bay teal from by one of the region's carving pioneers. This rare long-bodied example has a thin paddle tail and raised neck shelf with refined head carving. The right side exhibits a bright blue wing patch with white trim.

The underside is branded "C.H.G.C." for the Charter Hall Gun Club. It also has a Bourne Auction tag from March 11th, 1988, and an "0820" stamp. In old, possibly original, paint with gunning wear mostly down to the wood. Age line in underside, crack in neck with head slightly loose.

Provenance: Charter Hall Gun Club Private Collection, Virginia Private Collection, Maryland

Literature: C. John Sullivan, "The Grahams of Charlestown," Decoy Magazine, July/August 1997, front cover and pp. 8-13, related Graham decoys illustrated, with no teal shown.

Provenance

Charter Hall Gun Club Private Collection, Virginia Private Collection, Maryland