.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
In his book, The Great Book of Wildfowl Decoys, Engers describes a rigmate to this decoy as one of Wilson's finest creations (Joe Engers, The Great Book of Wildfowl Decoys (San Diego, 1990), p. 43). Representing one of Wilson's earlier works, this so-called "Monhegan Style" decoy exhibits a more stylish, serpentine form than his later carvings. However, all of the characteristics which have identified his works over his career remain the same. They include, mortised or inletted head, raised wings, carved eyes and in this case both a slightly turned head, and a carved wooden crest. This is one of three known from this specific rig which was purchased from a fish shack in Cape Porpoise, Maine in the early 1980s.
For other examples from the same rig see: Joe Engers, The Great Book of Wildfowl Decoys (San Diego, 1990), p. 43., Guyette and Schmidt, Inc., "North American Decoys At Auction," April 2006, lot 87., and Guyette and Schmidt, Inc., "North American Decoys At Auction," July 1996, lot 466.
For other examples from the same rig see: Joe Engers, The Great Book of Wildfowl Decoys (San Diego, 1990), p. 43., Guyette and Schmidt, Inc., "North American Decoys At Auction," April 2006, lot 87., and Guyette and Schmidt, Inc., "North American Decoys At Auction," July 1996, lot 466.