Makers / Lothrop Holmes / Dowitcher

Lothrop Holmes Early Dowitcher

Lothrop T. Holmes (1824-1899) Kingston, MA, c. 1870

Lothrop Holmes – Early Dowitcher – 2022
$4,200
Brought, including buyer's premium
Estimate $7,000–$10,000under estimate
Sold Jul 2022at Copley, July 2022

See this lot at Copley →

SpeciesDowitcherSize9"PaintOriginal

The catalog record

Lothrop T. Holmes (1824-1899) Kingston, MA, c. 1870 9 in. long

An exceedingly rare Holmes species, the body lines of this decoy resemble those of his famous ruddy turnstones; however, the head of this sandpiper is cocked back slightly in an alert position. Original paint with gunning wear, touch-up to reset neck, replaced eyes and bill.

Provenance: Ronald Swanson Collection Private Collection, Florida

Literature: Ronald Swanson, “The Decoy as Folk Sculpture,” Cranbrook Academy of Art Exhibition Catalog, January 1987, p. 16, fig. 22 (2nd from left), exact decoy illustrated.

Exhibited: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, “The Decoy as Folk Sculpture,” Cranbrook Academy of Art, January 27–February 22, 1987.

Provenance

Ronald Swanson Collection Private Collection, Florida

Comparable sales

The 1 most recent Lothrop Holmes Dowitcher to cross the block.

SoldConditionPaintBrought
Jul 2018—Original$2,280

Same maker and species, most recent first. Prices include the buyer's premium. All Lothrop Holmes sales