William Bill Neal Rare Swan

William "Bill" Neal (1924-2014) Black Point, CA, c. 1976 31 in. long

"Bill Neal," writes Miller "...was one of California's great decoy carvers." Carving augmented his income as a house painter. Before heading overseas to serve in World War II as a B-17 gunner, Bill sold his decoy collection not knowing if he would ever return. When he returned Stateside in 1946, he picked up his decoy carving tools and did not set them down again until shortly before his death in 2014. He made only three swan decoys; two of which reside in the Wheeler collection, and the location of the third is unknown. Excellent original paint with light wear and touch-up to a cleanly reset neck crack.

Provenance: Richard and Dorothy Wheeler Collection, acquired directly the maker, circa 1976

Literature: Michael R. Miller, "Wildfowl Decoys of California,” Spokane, WA, 2015, p. 154, duck decoys illustrated.

Provenance

Richard and Dorothy Wheeler Collection, acquired directly the maker, circa 1976