PAIR OF CANADA GEESE, MASSACHUSETTS OR LOWER DELAWARE RIVER AREA, CIRCA 1895

John Dillworth, New Jersey;

Fred and Kathy Giampietro, New Haven, Connecticut.

Tom Geismar and Harvey Kahn, Spiritually Moving: A Collection of American Folk Art Sculpture (New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1998) cat. no. 52, illus. in color;

Gene and Linda Kangas, "T. Gray's Migrant Goose Decoys," Decoy Magazine, July/August 2011, illus. in color p. 25 and on the cover.

There are a number of known goose decoys from a remarkable gunning rig, several of which bearing the same brand T. Gray as these two examples; however, neither Mr. Gray, who was probably the original owner of the birds, nor the location where they were made and used has been identified.

There are a number of known goose decoys from a remarkable gunning rig, several of which, including these two examples, are branded T. Gray; however, neither Mr. Gray, who was probably the original owner of the birds, nor the location of where they were made and used has been identified. All the geese are hollow-carved and have unusual head positions. This pair have distinctive swelled breasts with their necks and heads pulled back onto their bodies.

As is the case with other great rigs, the birds in the Gray rig seem to interact with each other and would have presented a lively scene wherever they floated. Decoy scholars Gene and Linda Kangas suggest that "based on regional stylistic norms, conceptual precedents, and serious decoy collector experiences, Massachusetts is the most logical location of inception."