DONAL C. O'BRIEN, JR. (1934-2013), NEW CANAAN, CONNECTICUT, DATED 1972

Details

PAIR OF BUFFLEHEADS
DONAL C. O'BRIEN, JR. (1934-2013), NEW CANAAN, CONNECTICUT, DATED 1972
the drake marked on underside O'Brien 72
11 in. long (drake); 10 in. long (hen)

Provenance

Gift from the maker, 1972

Literature

J. Barnitz et al., The David and Peggy Rockefeller Collection: Art of the Western Hemisphere, New York, 1988, vol. II, p. 307, no. 196 (illustrated in color, p. 307).

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Lot Essay

This pair of Bufflehead ducks was a gift to Peggy and David Rockefeller from carver and decoy collector Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. O'Brien worked in the Rockefeller family office and oversaw the growth of David and Peggy's decoy collection. He chose to gift them Bufflehead ducks as they were Peggy's favorite birds because she had no trouble spotting them from a distance due to the white spot on the drake. This meaningful pair resided in Peggy and David's kitchen at Ringing Point.

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