- THE O'BRIEN CHAMBERS WOOD DUCKThomas
THE O'BRIEN CHAMBERS WOOD DUCKThomas Chambers (1860-1948)
Wallaceburg, Ontario, Canada, c. 1900
15 in. long
“There are few, if any, areas in North America which provide such accessible hunting for such a large number and variety of ducks and geese. Furthermore, no area of such relatively small size contains such a wide range of waters on which to hunt. These factors have contributed to the rich and remarkable Heritage of decoys produced by the decoy makers of Michigan and the St. Clair Flats.
“The ideal nature of this area for hunting did not escape the attention of the market gunners or sportsmen, and the decoy makers responded by the middle of the 19th century to give folk art collectors some of the earliest and finest examples of wildfowl decoys.”
— Donal C. O’Brien Jr., "Waterfowl Decoys of Michigan and the Lake St. Clair Region", 1983
Thomas Chambers (1860-1948) was born in Toronto, Ontario. He hunted ducks and geese as a boy and sold his excess quarry to the market. He was tapped by sportsmen, including George Warin (1830-1905), to be the Keeper at the newly founded St. Anne’s Club on the Chenal Ecarte, which flows into Lake St. Clair. In 1900, when the nearby St. Clair Flats Shooting Company was looking for a new Keeper, they asked Warin, a respected founder and a former president of their club. Warin recommended Chambers, which would be fortuitous for all parties.
Incorporated in 1874, the St. Clair Flats Shooting Company, also known as the Canada Club, was one of the oldest hunting clubs on Lake St. Clair. Chambers lived on the club’s property in an adjacent house with his wife and three children. Chambers would remain the club’s Keeper until his retirement in 1943. According to author Bernard Crandell, it was during this time as manager that the 6 foot, 1 inch Chambers earned the nickname “King Tom.” Over the years, the membership of the Canada Club gradually changed from all Canadians to predominantly Americans.
In addition to his work for the club, Chambers was also one of the nation’s most accomplished carvers. His decoys were in high demand from the members and even during the Depression a rig of a dozen Chambers decoys would command the unheard-of price of $75.
Many, including Canadian decoy scholar Paul Brisco, consider this carving to be the finest Canadian decoy known. Co-authors Clune Walsh Jr. and Lowell Jackson, as well as Paul Johnsgard, chose this exact decoy for the cover of their respective books, Waterfowl Decoys of Michigan and the Lake St. Clair Region and The Bird Decoy: An American Art Form.
Few decoys have evoked the acclaim of this wood duck. It is among the greatest carvings of this species from any region, alongside peak examples by A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952), Charles E. “Shang” Wheeler (1872-1949), Joseph W. Lincoln (1859-1938), the unknown maker who carved two drakes for the Tyzzer rig, and the Mason Decoy Factory (1896-1924).
One of only two Chambers wood ducks known to exist, this example, with its exceptional form, paint, and condition, is the better of the two. Chambers captured the likeness of species of the summer duck effectively, paying special attention to the subtle nuances of the duck’s bill, eyes, and crest. Well over one hundred years old, the decoy maintains nearly invisible neck and bottom board seams, a testament to Chambers’ crafts- manship. The bottom board was fashioned from a food- packing crate and is thus branded on the underside “GUARANTEED BY H.J. HEINZ.”
The bottom board is also branded “GEO. M. HENDRIE.” George M. Hendrie was a St. Clair Flats Shooting Company member from 1889 to 1943.
This iconic bird held a special place in O’Brien’s collection,residing in his den alongside his dovetailed Canada goose.
Outstanding original paint with minor gunning wear, working putty to a sliver under the bill, and minimal touch-up under tail.
Provenance: George M. Hendrie Rig
Private St. Clair Flats Shooting Company Member
Ronald Swanson Collection, acquired from the estate of the above, c. 1970
Donal C. O’Brien Jr. Collection, acquired from the above, c. 1978
Thomas M. Evans Jr. Collection
Literature: Paul A. Johnsgard, "The Bird Decoy: An American Art Form," Lincoln, NE, 1976, front dust jacket and pl. 108, exact decoy illustrated.
Clune Walsh Jr. and Lowell G. Jackson, "Waterfowl Decoys of Michigan and the Lake St. Clair Region," Detroit, MI, 1983, pl. 16 and on the slipcase cover of the deluxe edition, exact decoy illustrated.
Laurence Sheehan, "The Sporting Life," New York, NY, 1992, p. 79, exact decoy illustrated.
Jackson Parker, “O’Brien Classic Decoys on Display at Museum of American Folk Art,” North American Decoys: Wildfowl Carvers and Collectors News, Spanish Fork, UT, Spring/Summer 1982, p. 32, exact decoy illustrated.
Jeff Waingrow, “The American Decoy: Folk Sculpture from the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Donal C. O’Brien Jr.,” The Clarion: America’s Folk Art Magazine, Fall 1981, p. 32, exact decoy illustrated.
Loy S. Harrell Jr., "Decoys: North America’s One Hundred Greatest," Iola, WI, 2000, pp. 10-11, exact decoy illustrated.
Exhibited: New York, New York, “The Art of the American Decoy: Folk Sculpture from the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Donal C. O’Brien Jr.,” Museum of American Folk Art, September 3-November 8, 1981.
- PHOTOGRAPH, LADY RAMSAY ON CORONATION
PHOTOGRAPH, LADY RAMSAY ON CORONATION DAY, 1937A photograph of Victoria Patricia Helena Ramsay, British, (1886-1974), Lady Ramsay on Coronation Day, 1937. The dedication reads "Best wishes & love, Patricia Ramsay". Provenance: This photo was given to her longtime friend, Enid Strathearn Hendrie Owen (1888-1968) and was consigned by a family member. 5.75" x 3.5". HRH Patricia of Connaught was the younger daughter of Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, the third son of Queen Victoria. Her mother was Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia. Informally known as Patsy, she was christened Victoria Patricia Helena Elizabeth. She resided in Canada with her father, the Duke of Connaught during his term as Governor General of Canada.
- VICTORIA P.H. RAMSAY (1886-1974) BRITISHVictoria
VICTORIA P.H. RAMSAY (1886-1974) BRITISHVictoria Patricia Helena Ramsay, "Jungle Hut, Ceylon", gouache, New England Art Club label verso showing the name of Lady Ramsay and her address at Clarence House, St James’s, S.W, 8" x 8.5". Provenance: Enid Strathearn Hendrie Owen (1888-1968) longtime friend of Patricia Ramsey and member of the consigning family. HRH Patricia of Connaught was the younger daughter of Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, the third son of Queen Victoria. Her mother was Princess
Louise Margaret of Prussia. Informally known as Patsy, she was christened Victoria Patricia Helena Elizabeth. She resided in Canada with her father, the Duke of Connaught during his term as Governor General of Canada.
- VICTORIA P.H. RAMSAY (1886-1974) BRITISHVictoria
VICTORIA P.H. RAMSAY (1886-1974) BRITISHVictoria Patricia Helena Ramsay, "Trincomalee, Ceylon", gouache, New England Art Club label verso showing the name of Lady Ramsay & her address at Clarence House, St James’s, S.W, 8" x 8.5". Provenance: Enid Strathearn Hendrie Owen (1888-1968) longtime friend of Patricia Ramsey and member of the consigning family. HRH Patricia of Connaught was the younger daughter of Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, the third son of Queen Victoria. Her mother was Princess
Louise Margaret of Prussia. Informally known as Patsy. She was christened Victoria Patricia Helena Elizabeth. She resided in Canada with her father, the Duke of Connaught during his term as Governor General of Canada.
- VICTORIA P.H. RAMSAY (1886-1974) BRITISHVictoria
VICTORIA P.H. RAMSAY (1886-1974) BRITISHVictoria Patricia Helena Ramsay, "Autumn Effect-Azaleas, at Ribsden Holt", gouache, dedication and full signature verso, dated 1949, 8" x 8.5". Provenance: Enid Strathearn Hendrie Owen (1888-1968) long time friend of Patricia Ramsey & member of the consigning family.
HRH Patricia of Connaught was the younger daughter of Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, the third son of Queen Victoria. Her mother was Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia. Informally known as Patsy, she was christened Victoria Patricia Helena Elizabeth. She resided in Canada with her father, the Duke of Connaught during his term as Governor General of Canada.
- OBJETS DE VERTU, PILL & TRINKET BOXESThree
OBJETS DE VERTU, PILL & TRINKET BOXESThree objets de vertu consisting of: a late 19th century continental agate mounted ormolu pill box measuring .75" h x 2.25" w x 1" d, an early 20th century tri-angular shaped British sterling silver & enamelled pill box measuring .5" h x 1.5" w x 1.5" d, together with an early 20th century oblong shaped silver plated trinket box with a natural material panelled lid centred by a carved cameo, the interior inscribed 'To Enid with Best Love, Patricia Ramsay, Xmas 1922', measuring 1.25" h x 5.75" w x 2.25"d. Provenance: Enid Strathearn Hendrie Owen (1888-1968) long-time friend of Patricia Ramsey & member of the consigning family. HRH Patricia of Connaught was the younger daughter of Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, the third son of Queen Victoria. Her mother was Princess
Louise Margaret of Prussia. Informally known as Patsy, she was christened Victoria Patricia Helena Elizabeth. She resided in Canada with her father, the Duke of Connaught during his term as Governor General of Canada. CITES rules may apply.
- BRITISH ROYAL FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHSBritish
BRITISH ROYAL FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHSBritish Royal Family photographs, both by W. & D. Downey - known as the Queen's photographers, taken at their studio at 61 Ebury Street, London, one of Prince Arthur - Duke of Connaught, 3rd son of Queen Victoria and first member of the British Royal Family to become Governor General of Canada, together with that of his wife Princess Louise Margaret, the Duchess of Connaught. Both bearing their respective Royal signatures & dated May 1915, both set within sterling silver frames with easel backs, surmounted by their respective Royal Ciphers, bearing London hallmarks for 1904 & 1912 with maker's marks for William Comyns & Sons. Dimensions, 12.5" h x 7.5" w. Provenance: Princess Patricia Ramsay to her close personal friend, Enid Strathearn Hendrie Owen, to an Owen Family Member (current owner).
- BEATRICE ELIZABETH HINDLEY (1882-1973)
BEATRICE ELIZABETH HINDLEY (1882-1973) BRITISHA stunning collection of twenty hand-wrought miniature metal flowers, each formed & soldered by hand, hand- painted and set within a naturalistically modelled ground, then 'potted' in their original hand-made & hand-painted ceramic pots. The plants, some of which - but not necessarily illustrated in order are: Tulips, Tulip Tree, Narcissus, Freesia, Anemone, Saxifrage, Primula, Hyacinth, Bulbs, Gentian, Auricula, Winter Aconite, etc. All plants are mounted within their original dedicated three tiered & glass encased stage. The tallest miniature 'Tulip Tree' measures a mere 5" high. In addition to the miniatures themselves, an original 1927 Leicester Galleries catalogue referencing an exhibition of Ms. Hindley's work titled 'MINIATURE PLANTS by BEATRICE HINDLEY' is included in the purchase, as well as other related material, photos, etc. All miniatures remain in very good overall condition, the 'Tulip Tree' with minor losses, but have been retained, a few pots with minor cracks, the stage exhibiting minor surface wear, portions of loss to molding. Dimensions of stage, 11.5" high x 16" wide x 12" deep. Note: Ms. Hindley is quoted here, taken in part from a magazine article as saying..."Each plant is made entirely by hand. No two are alike either in their bowls or in their detail. I design and paint a suitable bowl to every plant". "My plants are extremely strong, though they look so fragile. They are made of metal, and each joint is separately soldered. They are based upon hours of study in gardens and at Kew (Gardens)". Provenance: Princess Patricia Ramsay to her close personal friend, Enid Strathearn Hendrie Owen, to an Owen Family Member (current owner).