Black Duckc. 19305 7/8 × 16 × 6 3/4"Paint on wood and cork with glassGift of Alastair B. Martin1969.1.150decoy15224064Charles E. WheelerTools and EquipmentCopyright for this work is under review. StratfordStratfordUnited StatesConnecticutTreasures of Folk Art: Museum of American Folk ArtThree Dimensional WorksWildfowl DecoyseMuseum - Collection HighlightsStratfordSCULPTUREDecoyShang Wheeler was a man of diverse interests and talents who served as a Connecticut state senator, managed the Connecticut Oyster Farms in Milford, and was an avid outdoorsman. His decoys drew upon older traditions established by Stratford carvers Albert Davids Laing and Benjamin Holmes, such as hollow two-piece bodies with prominent chests. Wheeler made both working decoys and show birds in wood and cork. Black ducks were among his most beautiful cork decoys, which often had wood heads in the graceful sleeping position.
Stacy C. Hollander, "Black Duck," in American Anthem: Masterworks from the American Folk Art Museum (New York: Harry N. Abrams in association with American Folk Art Museum, 2001), 366.
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.orgTier 1 maker; sleeper, gunning, or competition style; "good cork"19251935 1969 1 15 SCULPTUREDecoyShang Wheeler was a man of diverse interests and talents who served as a Connecticut state senator, managed the Connecticut Oyster Farms in Milford, and was an avid outdoorsman. His decoys drew upon older traditions established by Stratford carvers Albert Davids Laing and Benjamin Holmes, such as hollow two-piece bodies with prominent chests. Wheeler made both working decoys and show birds in wood and cork. Black ducks were among his most beautiful cork decoys, which often had wood heads in the graceful sleeping position.
Stacy C. Hollander, "Black Duck," in American Anthem: Masterworks from the American Folk Art Museum (New York: Harry N. Abrams in association with American Folk Art Museum, 2001), 366.
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.orgTier 1 maker; sleeper, gunning, or competition style; "good cork"