Gus Wilson Preening Raised-wing Black Duck

Augustus Wilson (1864-1950) South Portland, ME, c. 1895 One of only two Wilson black ducks of its kind. The beautifully arched preening head coupled with the highly unusual fully extended raised wing make this bird one of the most important American working decoys ever to come on the market. Many knowledgeable decoy experts consider this Wilson, along with its rigmate fig. 1, to be the finest Wilson duck decoys known. The only other comparable raised-wing preener has the distinction of setting the high watermark for the maker, selling for $195,500 in May of 2005, at a Klinger and Co. auction in Harwich, Massachusetts.

Gus Wilson ranks among the upper echelon of decoys carvers in America. In fact one would be hard pressed to name an established decoy maker whose work more distinctly embodies American folk art than Wilson’s. In "American Vernacular," authors Frank Maresca and Roger Ricco write, “Augustus ‘Gus’ Wilson was a master carver whose career spanned more than fifty years. He worked as a fisherman and a lighthouse attendant. Typical details of his work are carved eyes and bills, raised wings, and inletted necks; he is famed as well for his skillful execution of rocking heads, swivel heads, and preening and sleeping poses.”

This particular carving has it all: maker, form, surface, rarity, and provenance. A thin metal strip along the back of the wing reinforces its concise two-piece construction. At least nine individual strips of lead were painstakingly applied to the bottom right edge with small screws and tacks by the maker. This was done in order to offset and balance the left-reaching head and wing. In strong original paint with even gunning wear. Several areas of old exposed filler to the tail side and neck. Very slight seam separation where wing meets body. Age line along underside.

Provenance: Private Collection, Virginia Peter Brams Collection, New York

Literature: Richard A. Bourne Co. Inc, "American Waterfowl and Shorebird Decoys," July 7-8, 1987, exact bird illustrated on the cover, pp. 41 and 83. Joe Engers, "2005 Year in Review: The Decoy at Auction" "Decoy Magazine," Year in Review, 2005, p. 9, rigmate illustrated.

Provenance

Private Collection, Virginia Peter Brams Collection, New York