Gus Wilson Breast-preening White-winged Scoter

Augustus “Gus” Aaron Wilson (1864-1950) South Portland, ME, c. 1900 16 3/4 in. long

This Wilson sea duck showcases the maker's tucked-head archetype with sweeping lines and a wide body. The iconic head is inletted into the body.

Wilson's classic Monhegan Island model is regarded as one of Maine’s most important contributions to the art of decoy carving. Decoy collecting pioneer Joel Barber was so taken with this Wilson form that he made architectural drawings of it for his Wild Fowl Decoys book. Original and working paint with even gunning wear, chips out of tail.

Provenance: Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection

Literature: Paul A. Johnsgard, "The Bird Decoy: An American Art Form," Lincoln, NE, 1976, p. 75, fig. 73, Muller's Wilson surf scoters illustrated. Frank Maresca & Roger Ricco, "American Vernacular," New York, NY, 2002, pp. 38-39, similar preening decoy illustrated. Joel Barber, "Wild Fowl Decoys," New York, NY, 1954, p. 59, diagram of similar scoter illustrated. Christie's, "The Collection of Peggy and David Rockefeller," New York, NY, May 10, 2018, lots 1062 and 1063, related decoys illustrated. Adele Earnest, "The Art of The Decoy," New York, NY, 1965, p. 194, pl. 169, related animated Wilson examples illustrated. Quintina Colio, "American Decoys," Ephrata, PA, 1972, pp. 30-31, related decoys illustrated. Robert Shaw, "Call to the Sky: The Decoy Collection of James M. McCleery, M.D.," Houston, TX, 1992, p. 3, related example illustrated. Linda and Gene Kangas, "Decoys," Paducah, KY, 1992, p. 246, pl. 442-444, closely related example illustrated three times. Zac Zetterberg, ed., “American Decoy: The Invention,” Peoria, IL, 2020, p. 187, related example illustrated.

Provenance

Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection