Detail from lateral view of Black Duck decoy by Albert Laing, possibly re-headed by Benjamin Holmes, 1952-192.47
1 2015-04-11T11:02:38-07:00 Nancie Ravenel bc84e2b969fab7c5f039797f42318c7fcfc8159b 4136 3 A closer look at the remnants of the nails that held the first head in place and the nails that hold the current head in place.Albert Davids Laing (Stratford, Connecticut, 1811-66), with head attributed to Benjamin Holmes (Stratford, Connecticut, 1843-1912), repainted by Charles "Shang" Wheeler (Stratford, Connecticut, 1872-1949) Black Duck Decoy, date unknown Wood, paint, metal, leather, and rope Gift of J. Watson, Jr., Harry H., and Samuel B. Webb, 1952-192.47. plain 2017-08-07T13:54:38-07:00 1952-192.57 Shelburne Museum Nancie Ravenel bc84e2b969fab7c5f039797f42318c7fcfc8159bThis page is referenced by:
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Black Duck 1952-192.47
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This decoy by Albert Laing is thought to have been re-headed by Benjamin Holmes and repainted by Shang Wheeler. It was formerly in Joel Barber's collection.
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1952-192.47
Shelburne Museum
The radiographs show that the decoy's body was assembled with somewhat widely spaced nails. An x-ray opaque material, most likely a lead-containing adhesive, is evident between the two halves. Vesitges of cut nail shanks are found behind the head.
The head itelf is attached to the body with 6 finishing nails. The fact that the nails holding the head to the body are different than those holding the body together and that shanks of nails are present in the back support the assertion that the head on this decoy has been replaced. In the lateral view radiograph, a knot or vestiges of a dowel is evident in the upper portion of the body just below the head.
Additionally, traction crackle is noted in the paint on the head in the lateral radiograph but not in the paint on the body. It may also be notable that the head sits into the body rather than atop it. The head on a long-tailed hen decoy by Wheeler is similarly positioned into the body at the rear of the neck. This may suggest that it was Wheeler, and not Holmes, who may have associated the head with the neck. This is, however, a very loose conjecture. Further research into the provenance of this decoy is required.
The specific edges of the hollow within the body are difficult to discern from the lateral view radiograph. From the rounded edges of the tool marks around the perimeter of the hollow, it appears that hollow was created using either curved gouges or a drill.
The eyes are made of tacks with single shanks.
The lead weight appears to be a replacement. The radiograph shows holes in the underside of the decoy have been filled with wood, suggesting that other ballast had once been attached to those locations. The stamp in the underside of the decoy "LAING" is legible in the radiograph.
