Mallard, Clark Madera, Pitman, New Jersey, 1st quarter 20th century.
Augustus “Gus” Aaron Wilson
(1864 - 1950) South Portland, ME
Gus Wilson carved many of his decoys while working as keeper of Marshall’s Point Light and several other lighthouses. He spent sixty years of his life carving (ca. 1880-1940) and became known for the quantity and variety of his work. The majority of Wilson’s decoys is streamlined and solid and features flat bottoms, carved eyes and inletted necks.
Image 1: Augustus “Gus” Wilson, Monhegan Island Style Breast Preening Scoter.
Image 2: Augustus “Gus” Wilson, Feeding Rocking Head Black Duck with Mussel in Mouth.
Image 3: Augustus “Gus” Wilson, Black Duck.
Image 4: Augustus “Gus” Wilson, Rocking Head Black Duck.
Image 5: Augustus “Gus” Wilson, Black Duck.
Image 6: Augustus “Gus” Wilson, Flying Wood Drake.
Image 7: Augustus “Gus” Wilson, Carved Hooded Black Duck.
Image 8: Augustus “Gus” Wilson, Surf Scooter.
Stay smart and safe so today becomes tomorrow's yesterday!
TODAY IS NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER LOVER’S DAY.
Wonderful carved decoys, Tom! I especially like #2 which looks so much like a feeding duck. Have a great weekend, my friend!
ReplyDelete...and #2 have a wonderful privitive, folk art feel to it.
DeleteAmazing decoys!
ReplyDelete...I've always enjoyed them.
Delete#3 is really cute. No Peanut Butter for me...
ReplyDelete...no peanut butter?
DeleteThese are amazing! I love the detail and artistry in each one.
ReplyDelete...and duck decoys have a long and interesting history.
DeleteThe decoy carvings are beautiful! Number 6 the wood duck is a favorite.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your critter post and sharing your link! Take care, have a wonderful weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
...#6 looks so natural. Thanks for hosting, Eileen.
DeleteDuck decoys are amazing works of art, aren't they? Happy March to you.
ReplyDelete...I love them!
DeleteThose are all lovely carvings!
ReplyDelete...and they are a beautiful part of history.
DeleteBeautifully made.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
...by wonderful artists.
DeleteSome decoys command incredible prices.
ReplyDelete...while collecting these, I saw auction records of some selling in the $150,000 range.
DeleteI've always admired people who make them but these are especially beautiful.
ReplyDelete...they are eye candy for me.
DeleteThese are terrific.
ReplyDelete...art mimicking nature!
DeleteWhat an interesting art form! Not only carving of wood, but then painting in realistic manners...and I imagine they would float if anyone were so inclined!
ReplyDelete...historically they were created to be used by hunters, many now are works of art!
DeleteThough their goal is deception, the swooping shape of these creatures provide a beautiful example of form for artists.
ReplyDelete...yes, deception is their goal, some with more realism than others.
DeleteHow beautiful. My son has carved a lot of ducks and birds and they are my favs. I'll eat some peanut butter today...wish you could join me! What kind of jelly do you want? Hugs!
ReplyDelete...when I was a Boy Scout, I got "Finger Carving" Merit Badge! Grape of course.
DeleteYou did great as a boy scout and I know you learned a lot. Grape it is!
Delete...and after I learned to stop the bleeding I got First Aid Merit Badge. Strawberry ain't bad either!
DeleteAn interesting and beautiful form of folk art, Tom!
ReplyDelete...folk art is a wonderful art genre.
DeleteTom, I’m in admiration of your ability to come up with so many interesting posts! Decoys can be fascinating. I have a couple of miniature decoys on my book shelves. They are by no means rare or custom crafted, but they do add a neat look. Thanks for sharing and have a fine weekend. John
ReplyDelete...John, I have a bunch of interests and they keep keep my mind active. Just as decorative pieces, I have a few decoys. This weekend I have two John Pavlovitz essays, one was just published and the second will publish tomorrow at noon eastern time. Take care and be well.
DeleteI saw a duck decoy exhibit one year at (I think) the fall festival in Candor, NY. These decoys and the ones I saw in Candor are beautiful works of art. For some reason, #3 calls to me with its quacking beak.
ReplyDelete...all art speaks to each of us differently. I'm glad that it quacked to you!
DeleteBeautiful art, Tom. I had a peanut butter sandwich for lunch today, I love it.
ReplyDelete...a peanut butter sandwich is the ultimate comfort food.
DeleteHello Tom :)
ReplyDeleteYour decoy collection is wonderful. They are beautiful carvings- I know little of their history but they have peeked my curiosity.
Today is also a "White Rabbit" day!
All the best
Sonjia.
...as in "White Rabbit" the song written by Grace Slick and recorded by Jefferson Airplane? Thanks Sonjia, it doesn't take much to peek my curiosity.
DeleteThese are interesting decoys and look good. I prefer the real thing, ducks are one of my favourite animals, they are so funny and great wee animals :-D
ReplyDelete...and I enjoy the real deal too!
DeleteWe had a friend who toyed in this art. Happy March to you!
ReplyDelete...that would be fun to see, have a Marvelous March.
DeleteSo nice to see these decoys they are so good and quite lovely.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
https://thelowcarbdiabetic.blogspot.com/
...thank you Jan, I hope that you are enjoying lovely weekend.
DeleteInteresting. Who knew?
ReplyDeleteHappy March!
...hopefully now you do. I wish you a Marvelous March, Linda.
DeleteThey are REALLY NICE. My friends dad carved a wooden duck for me years ago. Not a decoy though.
ReplyDelete...it should fit your decor nicely.
Delete