Bert Graves "masterworks" Peacock Rig Pintail Drake

Bert Graves (1880-1956) Peoria, IL, c. 1925 17 1/2 in. long

Graves built the Graves Decoy Company out of the workshop behind his home. Upon the death of Robert Elliston in 1915, Graves purchased Elliston’s entire business, including wood, patterns, tools, and commissioned rigs. He also astutely hired Catherine Elliston to continue painting decoys for his company, as seen on this lot.

His forms for regular decoy patterns were slightly oversized, but well-proportioned and lightweight for their size. The intricate comb scratch paint covers virtually the entire body, with precise and clean lines indicating the speculums and primaries.

Graves sold decoys to affluent hunters and to sporting goods stores for the handsome sum of $75-100 per dozen and his decoys today continue to demand a premium among collectors.

The underside of this carving bears a "Peacock" brand. Walter C. Peacock (1878-1946) was a prominent Chicago sportsman and national champion trap shooter. Peacock was also an affluent jeweler, a founder of the Lincoln Park Gun Club, and very active in the waterfowl issues of his day.

This sterling example appears to have never been gunned over and is one of the finest Graves pintails known to exist. Excellent original paint with very light wear.

Provenance: Peacock Rig Masterworks of the Illinois River Collection

Literature: Stephen B. O'Brien Jr. and Julie Carlson, "Masterworks of the Illinois River," Boston, MA, 2005, p. 97, exact decoy illustrated.

Exhibited: Salisbury, Maryland, “The Illinois River Meets the Chesapeake,” Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, September 2 - November 13, 2005 Peoria, Illinois, Center for American Decoys, Peoria Riverfront Museum.

Provenance

Peacock Rig Masterworks of the Illinois River Collection