A Dynamic Presentation of a Miniature Mallard Hen Carving by Courtney Allen (1896 – 1969), North Truro, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, circa 1950s – 1960s. Over the years, the Outer Cape has been the destination for artists and writers well-known to American culture. Courtney Allen was one of those artists. In the early 20^th century, Allen became inspired by the illustrations found in magazines of the day and became determined to study art. That desire led him to a career as a major artist and illustrator for those Major Magazine and books, focusing on griping images of people confronting precarious situations in the outdoors. Allen and his wife Erma Paul, also an illustrator, often visited the Outer Cape while working in New York and eventually bought a house in North Truro in 1927. They finally moved to the Cape for good in 1951 where Allen engaged in carving miniature waterfowl for the next 20 years. The Mallard Hen offered here is one of those birds. The Miniature Mallard standing on a large piece of knurled old burl is presented with a contoured body and reaching head with the bill apparently searching for a hidden nibble found on the “rocks”. Allen enhances the quality of the carving by creating layered raised wing, split tail carving to finish the dynamic design. The Elaborate Feather Paint is Fully Original, though it is somewhat worn by time and with minor flaking to the legs. There is also a very slight separation where the neck is attached to the body. The Total Presentation exhibits Allen’s ability to display a Full Understanding of the Artist’s Eye for Dimensionality. Measurements: the Hen is 7 ½” in length and 2 5/8” in width; the total piece is 11” in length, 7” in width, and 7” in height. A Wonderfully Dynamic Miniature Mallard Hen by an Important 20^th Century Artist and Carver.

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Price $425 plus shipping

Beautiful Ring-Necked Pheasant Carving by Tom Ahern, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, circa 1984. Ahern, a Master Carver, has been carving Full Time since 1982. Emphasizing the life-like qualities in his carvings, Ahern focuses initially on Form and Texture, adding animation to the Pheasant’s presentation and enhanced detail to the feather pattern. His carving is then brought to life with an Artist Palette of Dynamic Color, rendering the Pheasant’s Beauty in a Realistic Vision. The Feathering is surely to be admired. This approximately Half-sized Carving measures 14” in length, 3 ¼” in width, and 7 3/8” in height. The driftwood base has an inset weight to avoid any tilting. The Carving is Signed & Dated under the body and the word “Pheasant” is written on the base. A Wonderful Presentation of a Ring-necked Pheasant.

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Price $965 plus shipping

An Eye-Catching Decorative Snuggle Head Snipe Carving by Roy Legaux, Sr., St. Bernard, Louisiana. Legaux is a Well-Know Louisiana Decoy Carver featured in Charlie Frank’s Louisiana Duck Decoys and Loy Harrell’s Decoys: Sixty Living and Outstanding North American Carvers. This Exceptional Snuggle Head Snipe displays a Bold Breast, Subtle Relief Wing Carving, and an Extended Bill indicative of the Snipe. The Highly Detailed Original Paint captures the Exquisite Beauty of the “cryptically patterned” Feathering of this bird of wetland habitats. Measurements: 8 ½” in length, 3” in width, and 7” in height, including the base (8” L x 7” W). An Exceptional Vision of the Common Snipe.

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Price $515 plus shipping

Miniature Semipalmated Sandpiper Shorebird with a Slightly Turned Head by Randy & Elaine Fisher, Dennis, Massachusetts, circa 1981. The Fishers are avid Bird Watchers and have assisted in Bird Banding on the Cape, so they have held many of the birds they create in hand. Apparently, they are now retired from their carving exploits. This Semipalmated Sandpiper Shorebird is approximately 3/4^th the actual size of the Sandpiper, but the Detail of the Shorebird is Quite Accurate. The Dimensional Carving offers considerable emphasis to both Primary and Secondary Feathers; whereas, the Line Carving throughout the work provides a “Feathery” Basis for the Paint Pattern. The Slightly Turned Head with an Accurate Bill and Little Black Bead Eyes offers further Realism. The Paint is Fully Original and is Consistent with the Field Marks of the Semipalmated Sandpiper. Standing on a piece of driftwood with a Sense of Anticipation is the Shorebird’s Hunt for the next Morsel. The Bird measures a little under 5” in length, 1 5/8” in width, and 3 ¾” in height, including the base. It is Signed and Dated on the Bottom.

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Price $195 plus shipping