A Slightly Undersized Carving of a Semipalmated Plover by Marie Lagoy, Leominster, Massachusetts, circa 1980s. Marie’s husband Lorne was a well-known New England wood carver and won Carver of the Year Award from New England Wood Carvers at one point. Marie was more the Artist; she and Lorne both taught carving and painting at Carvers Plus in Leominster beginning in the 1970s. Notable for their skills, “in 2002 Lorne and Maria were selected to create a bird ornament for the White House Christmas Tree”. Indicative of their craft, not only is the Form of this Bird is Fully Crafted, the Quality of Marie Lagoy’s Art is Fully displayed in the Vivid Detail of the Paint. The Color of the Plover’s Realistic Field Marks are further Enhanced and Articulated by Marie’s Fine Delineation of the Plover’s Feathers. The Plover measures 6” in length, 2 ½” in width (the base is 6”), and a total of 7” in height. Signed on the Base: Marie Lagoy. A Wonderful Example of a Semipalmated Plover displayed in Wood.

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Price $285 plus shipping SALE PRICE $185 Shipped to Continental U.S.

Rare Half-Size Golden Plover Shore by James Lapham (1909 – 1987), Dennisport, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, circa 1960s. Lapham’s carvings spanned a period from the 1940s until the 1970s, with his carvings frequently categorized into three distinct styles. Interestingly, the early influence of Elmer and Cleon Crowell, who Lapham knew from his time working with the railroad, is clearly apparent in his work, especially in the composition of his later work. His earliest work offered Classic Miniatures, evolving from quite Realistic miniatures on Driftwood to larger, more stylized, Decorative carvings with a Crowell-style Base. This Half-sized Golden Plover combines the Realism of his early work with the Larger Decorative Carvings of his late period. A Number of Lapham’s Well-Painted Shorebirds appear in the 1960s (see Joe Ellis’s Birds in Wood and Paint). With this Shorebird, Lapham displays the Accuracy of Form, the Traditional Split-tail Carving, the Emphasis on Critical Detail, the Quality of Brush Work, and the Attention to Tone in Feathering. Note that the Toning of the Feathers creates a Golden Glow to the Bird while the Black Under-belly goes Fully to the Tail. These are characteristics of Lapham’s Best Work. There has been a Bill Break at some point which has been Re-set and Touched Up; numbers photos focus on the bill for insight. This Shorebird measures 6 ¼” in length, 2 ¼” in width, and 5 ¾” in height. It is Signed on the Base: “Golden Plover / J Lapham DennisPort Mass”. The Golden Plover is a rather Rare Item for Lapham.

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SOLD

Highly Animated Carving of a Northern Flicker by John Mattson, circa 1976. Unfortunately, no information is currently available about Mattson. The carving was found in New Jersey, though a search of the Internet offered no leads. The Carving itself is quite appealing. The carver clearly understood Flicker behavior with the Spread Wings, the Down Turned Tail which the bird uses to balance itself on perch, the Alert Position of the Head in a forage for dinner, and so forth. The Original Paint on this Carving is Outstanding. The Field Marks of the Northern Flicker are easily identified. The Animated Design allows the Artist to provide a Through and Realistic Vision of the Flicker’s Colorful Feather Pattern. Ultimately, Form and Color merge into a Sculptural Wonder. The Flicker measures 6 ½” in length and 3” in width; the Base on which the Flicker is perched 11” in length and 5 ½” in width. The total presentation stands 6 ½” in height. The Presentation is Sign on the Bottom: “Hand Crafted by John Mattson / 1976”.

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Price $325 plus shipping  

A Wonderful Combination of a Painting of a Lincoln Self-Bailing Brant Decoy and a Miniature Carving of the Same Decoy by Frank J. Adamo (1944 – 2022), Pocasset, (Cape Cod), Massachusetts, circa Late 20^th Century. Adamo was a Rare Self-Taught Artist, especially well-known for his excellent fish and bird carvings and his fine miniatures. Those of us who knew Frank found him to be a very warm and outgoing person, always ready to share his knowledge and graciousness with others. Ultimately, Frank will be remembered for the Quality of his Artistic Endeavors. I was visiting Frank some 20 years ago to purchase some of his work when I saw this combination displayed in Frank’s living room. After selecting some purchases, I asked Frank if he was willing to sell the pair. After some discussion, they were added to my collection. The Painted Image under glass is 3” x 4 ½”, tripled matted and framed, 6 ¼” x 8 ¼”. The Miniature Decoy measures 4 ½” in length, 1 ½” in width, and 2 ½” in height. Both Items are in Excellent Original Condition and Signed.

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SOLD