Lothrop Holmes Canvas Covered Swimming Old Squaw

Lothrop Holmes (1824-1899) Kingston, MA, c. 1870 It is a rare instance when a distinct rig of exceptional decoys survives; a few examples of such landmark rigs include the Charles Schoenheider, Sr. (1854-1924) standing ice geese, the George McLellan (1897-1987) flying brant and the Kankakee pintails. Even rarer is an instance where one of these premier rigs has a single bird that clearly rises head and shoulders above the rest. A few decoys that carry that distinction includes Jerry Mastin's (1880-1959) tucked-head stick-up goose (Private Collection), Charles Safford's (1877-1957) sleeping goose (Private Collection, Massachusetts), Capt. Charles Osgood's (1820-1886) preening goose (Shelburne Museum Collection) and this Lothrop Holmes swimming old squaw (lot 518). As with lot 519, the head carving is done with efficiency and sophistication that captures the nuances of the species. The well-developed cheek carving and subtle eye grooves meet at a sharp forehead that rises to a very broad crown. The reaching head draws a tight ridge between the underside of the upswept bill and the breast. The consignor originally collected two old squaws from this rig, found in the Boston area around the late 1960s. A few years ago the other bird from this collection, with a conventional head, was sold setting a record price for a decoy from this famous rig. This swimming decoy is being offered at public auction for the first time ever. Outstanding original condition with minimal gunning wear.

Provenance: Roger D. Williams Collection

Literature: Dr. George Ross Starr, "Decoys of the Atlantic Flyway, " Tulsa, OK, 1974, pp. 56-57, color plate 3, rigmate illustrated. Frank Schmidt and Gary Guyette, The Art of Deception: Waterfowl Decoys from the Collection of Paul Tudor Jones II, St. Michaels, MD, 2006, pp. 24-25, similar decoy illustrated. John and Shirley Delph, "New England Decoys," Exton, PA, p. 78, rigmate illustrated. John Clayton, "Massachusetts Masters: Decoys, Shorebirds, and Decorative Carvings," Salisbury, MD, 2010, pp.40-41, rigmate illustrated. Massachusetts Waterfowl Stamp, 1980, rigmate illustrated. Linda and Gene Kangas, "Decoys," Paducah, KY, 1992, p.219, plate 379, rigmate illustrated. Hal Sorenson ed., "Decoy Collector's Guide: 1968 Annual," Burlington, IA, pp. 113-114, rigmate illustrated.

Provenance

Roger D. Williams Collection