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Massachusetts, specifically Lothrop Holmes.
Caption: "Lothrop Holmes (1824-1899), of Kingston, Massachusetts, is considered by collectors today to be one of the best of the early Massachusetts carvers. The best of his works are these incredible Mergansers, but he created other very notable decoys including canvas covered oldsquaws and shorebirds such as the plover and feeding yellowlegs from Mr. Aitken's collection."
Reference: J. Enger, ed., The Great Book of Wildfowl Decoys, San Diego, 1990.
A TRULY EXCEPTIONAL RED BREASTED MERGANSER HEN AND DRAKE
LOTHROP HOLMES, KINGSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, CIRCA 1860-70
Details
A TRULY EXCEPTIONAL RED BREASTED MERGANSER HEN AND DRAKE
Lothrop Holmes, Kingston, Massachusetts, Circa 1860-70
These decoys have few peers. They would unquestionably form the centerpiece of any collection. They are both exceedingly rare. The only other original condition pair are from the collection of Windsor White, Duxbury, MA. The drake has an inserted hardwood bill. The heads are removable
Lothrop T. Holmes was a ship's carpenter who made decoys in his spare time. While he made ducks and shorebirds (all superior), it is his mergansers that are recognized generally as the best of their type anywhere.
The drake: the Head can be removed from body because dowel is attached to head only. Branded "L.T. Holmes" on underside. Wear to bare wood in several places on body. Paint is original, other than some of the black on the head.
The hen: also branded as above; the head is removable in same way as above. Several spots on the body are worn to bare wood. There are minor checks at lower breast and lower left rear of body. Paint is original, professional restoration to most of the bill (2)
Lothrop Holmes, Kingston, Massachusetts, Circa 1860-70
These decoys have few peers. They would unquestionably form the centerpiece of any collection. They are both exceedingly rare. The only other original condition pair are from the collection of Windsor White, Duxbury, MA. The drake has an inserted hardwood bill. The heads are removable
Lothrop T. Holmes was a ship's carpenter who made decoys in his spare time. While he made ducks and shorebirds (all superior), it is his mergansers that are recognized generally as the best of their type anywhere.
The drake: the Head can be removed from body because dowel is attached to head only. Branded "L.T. Holmes" on underside. Wear to bare wood in several places on body. Paint is original, other than some of the black on the head.
The hen: also branded as above; the head is removable in same way as above. Several spots on the body are worn to bare wood. There are minor checks at lower breast and lower left rear of body. Paint is original, professional restoration to most of the bill (2)
Provenance
C.J. Devine, New York City and New Jersey
Literature
A. Earnest, The Art of the Decoys: American Bird Carvings, New York, 1965, p. 151, Hen Only, p. 133.
J. Lipman and A. cn Windhester, "The Flowering of American Folk Art (1776-1876) in the Whitney Museum of American Art, p.166, no 210 (illustrated)
A. Earnest, "Folk Art In America," p. 167.
W. J. Mackey, Jr., American Bird Decoys, New York, 1965, p. 89, pl. 70.
J. Engers, ed., The Great Book of Wildfowl Decoys, San Diego, 1990, p. 314.
Guennol Collection, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, vol. II, 1982, p. 255, 256, 257.
B. Stretch, "The Lure of the Decoy," Art & Antiques, Nov.-Dec. 1979, p. 56.
A. Earnest, "The Wildfowl Decoy" in How to Know American Folk Art, NY, 1977, p. 39 (illustrated).
H. Sorenson, "Decoy Collector's Guide", October-December 1965.
J. Lipman and A. cn Windhester, "The Flowering of American Folk Art (1776-1876) in the Whitney Museum of American Art, p.166, no 210 (illustrated)
A. Earnest, "Folk Art In America," p. 167.
W. J. Mackey, Jr., American Bird Decoys, New York, 1965, p. 89, pl. 70.
J. Engers, ed., The Great Book of Wildfowl Decoys, San Diego, 1990, p. 314.
Guennol Collection, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, vol. II, 1982, p. 255, 256, 257.
B. Stretch, "The Lure of the Decoy," Art & Antiques, Nov.-Dec. 1979, p. 56.
A. Earnest, "The Wildfowl Decoy" in How to Know American Folk Art, NY, 1977, p. 39 (illustrated).
H. Sorenson, "Decoy Collector's Guide", October-December 1965.