George Boyd Exceedingly Rare Green-winged Teal

George H. Boyd (1873-1941) Seabrook, NH, c. 1938 11 1/2 in. long

One of the rarest of George Boyd's species, the maker's teal are more difficult to find than his canvas swimming Canada geese; only one other drake green-winged teal is known to exist.

This bold little sculpture showcases the maker's signature form. The carving has excellent lines with a well-rounded back and slightly upswept tail. The head has a thin crest capped with the maker’s distinctive black tip. The surface brings together tight stippling and crisply painted feather delineations. Jim Cullen, the author of the definitive monograph on the carver, selected a detail of this lot’s only known comparable for the back dust jacket of his book. The underside bears the maker's penciled signature and "Seabrook, NH" as well as the first owner’s burnt in "J.F."

Fisher marked each decoy "J.F." and George Boyd's signature is also on the bottom of each. In 1992 Mr. Fisher donated both decoys to the New Hampshire Chapter of the Nature Conservancy with the condition that funds from their sale be directed toward the enhancement and management of waterfowl habitat and they were sold at auction for that purpose. Original paint with some tight and even typical Boyd craquelure, some discoloration, and minimal wear.

Provenance: Josiah Fisher Collection, acquired directly from the maker, 1938 David Schorsch

Literature: Jim Cullen, "Finely Carved & Nicely Painted: The Life, Art and Decoys of George H. Boyd," Rye, NH, 2009, pp. 40-41, and 96, closely related example illustrated, back dust-jacket cover, detail highlighting craquelure on a teal illustrated. Guyette & Deeter, “North American Decoys at Auction July 23 & 24, 2018,” Portsmouth, NH, lot 428, exact decoy illustrated. Joe Engers, "The Great Book of Wildfowl Decoys," San Diego, CA, 1990, p. 65, related example illustrated. Olivers, "Important American Waterfowl Decoys," July 11 and 12, 1992, lots 458 and 459, exact decoy and blue-winged mate illustrated.

Provenance

Josiah Fisher Collection, acquired directly from the maker, 1938 David Schorsch