Gilbert E. Wallace Greene-bush Dovetailed Yellowlegs

Dr. Gilbert E. Wallace (1873-1917) Forked River, NJ, c. 1900 9 1/4 in. long

A rare yellowlegs carving with a removable dovetailed head. The vertically-laminated hollow body is finished with raised wings and split and raised wing tips.

The maker used an ingenious method to construct this elaborately designed decoy. The vertical lamination allowed the maker to not only hollow the body, but also more easily carve out the dovetail cavity. Additionally, the dovetail keystone was applied to the underside of the head rather than carved out of the neck. The underside has the rig numeral "VIII" and the museum code "A51.149" in red paint.

An extensive biography on Wallace is available in James Doherty's "Classic New Jersey Decoys" book, along with the author's fixed-head yellowlegs. Original paint with even gunning wear. Dovetail keystone is replaced.

Provenance: Greene Collection Walter L. Bush Collection Collection of a New York City Museum, acquired from the above in 1953

Literature: James R. Doherty, "Classic New Jersey Decoys," Louisville, KY, 2011, p. 172, fixed-head examples illustrated, Appendix C, xx-xxii, Wallace biography. Richard A. Bourne Co., Inc., "Very Rare and Important American Bird Decoys from the Collection of the late William J. Mackey Jr. of Belford, New Jersey," Hyannis, MA, 1973, Sessions I & II, lot 340, rigmate illustrated.

Provenance

Greene Collection Walter L. Bush Collection Collection of a New York City Museum, acquired from the above in 1953