Very rare 'One of Twelve' Brant by Henry Keyes Chadwick (1865-1958) of Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard, MA, c. 1930-40's. According to historical records, Henry only made one rig of twelve brand for one man. It is unknown how many remain in any condition at all let alone aren't held by insititutions, never again to be owned privately. Only one other example has surfaced for public sale in the last 20 years. In both publications listed below, the rigmate Brant illustrated is the same, accounting for only 3 of the 12 made. The pictured rigmate Brant belongs to the Martha's Vineyard Museum (previously known as the Dukes County Historical Society founded 1922).
Henry was a thorough carver of top quality gunning decoys on the Vineyard, his home since age 3. This example even has lower carved out bill detail. Though it is clear as time went on, he could have used drier wood, he insisted on using the best qulity for all else including specific glass eyes to perfectly match every species.
Condition: Great original condition with light wear including cracquelure on the breast and a typical age split in the bottom
19.5"
Provenance:
ex. Charlie Hunter collection
Literature:
Stanley Murphy, "Martha's Vineyard Decoys," Boston, MA, 1978, p. 57, plate 40, rigmate illustrated (Martha's Vineyard Museum Collection)
John and Shirley Delph, "New England Decoys," Exton, PA, 1990, 2 page image spread pp. 94-95, rigmate illustrated (Martha's Vineyard Museum Collection)
John Clayton, “Massachusetts Masters: Decoys, Shorebirds, and Decorative Carvings,” The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, Salisbury University, 2010, pp. 69, rigmate illustrated.
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