Roger Williams Exceedingly Early Root-head Merganser

Roger Williams (1770-1840) Long Island, NY, c. 1790 16 in. long

Williams holds the distinction of being the earliest named decoy maker. According to decoy historians Gene and Linda Kangas, “The South Shore [of Long Island] is likely where the rebirth of North American Decoy making by non-Natives began. In fact, commercial market hunting there was so rampant during the first quarter of the 19th century that it triggered New York prohibitions on sink box use for market gunning in 1838.”

In describing a related example, the authors state, "An eighteenth century decoy is rare and it is rarer still to know the name of the maker. The use of one naturally-formed piece of wood provided strength over these many years for the unbroken neck, slender bill, and comb. One of three rootheads by Williams."

While root-head carvings are not common, the use of the root-head technique for a bird with pronounced crest is virtually unseen outside of this early rig. With its bill lifted skyward, fine form and condition, this animated decoy is perhaps the best example from this early rig. The underside is twice branded “G.S.B.”

Original paint with even wear to wood, touch-up to reset bill.

Provenance: Adele Earnest Collection Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Collection

Literature: Adele Earnest, "The Art of The Decoy," New York, NY, 1965, p. 121, plate 105, similar decoy illustrated. Adele Earnest, "Folk Art In America," Exton, PA, 1984, p. 134, rigmate illustrated. Gene Kangas, “Rootheads and Knotheads,” North American Decoys, Spanish Fork, UT, Winter 1976, p. 28, rigmate illustrated. Laurence Sheehan, "The Birding Life," New York, NY, 2011, p. 22, exact decoy illustrated. Gene and Linda Kangas, "Older Than Methuselah," Decoy Magazine, Lewes,DE, March/April, 2017, pp. 24-32, related decoy illustrated.

Provenance

Adele Earnest Collection Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Collection