Wendell Gilley Two Scoter

Wendell Gilley (1904-1983) Southwest Harbor, ME, c. 1935 19 in. long

Birds from this rig were made with heads on removable square posts allowing them to have four head positions. O'Brien selected these decoys for his collection as the best of the rig.

The 1968 Decoy Collector's Guide described Gilley's craftsmanship, "For some years, Wendell Gilley of Southwest Harbor, Maine, has enjoyed national recognition for his decorative and life-like bird carvings. His decoys, however, are relatively unknown for the simple reason he has carved very few...and these strictly for his personal use. But the few he did produce several years back are unique and worthy of prominence in any fine collection. This white-winged scoter is an example. It has graceful lines and is true to species. It is hollow and boasts a removable head with a square dowel which allows the head to be placed in four different positions: a simple means of giving much variety to a rig on the water." In original paint with even gunning wear, working repaint mostly below the water line, and working touch-up to white, some seam separation and age lines.

Provenance: Roger Rich Rig Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Collection, acquired from Wendell Gilley

Literature: Peter Johnson and Alf Wannenburgh, “The World of Shooting,” Lausanne, Switzerland, 1987, pp. 259-261, exact decoys illustrated. Hal Sorenson, Decoy Collector’s Guide, 1968, p. 96, rigmate illustrated.

Provenance

Roger Rich Rig Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Collection, acquired from Wendell Gilley