Great Blue Heron

Date1900-1940

Attributed to Augustus Aaron Wilson (1864-1950)

MediumPaint on wood

Dimensions33" x 16 3/8" x 30 3/8"

Credit LineGift of Miss Quinitina Colio

Object number1980.702.6

Label TextAlthough occasionally shot for food, herons were more often hunted for their beautiful feathers, particulary during the 1870-1900 period when fashioned dictated that women's hats be adorned with all sorts of exotic plumage. Simultaneously --- and more frequently after legislation banned such gunning --- plumage decoys such as herons, cranes, egrets, bitterns, gulls, and swans all doubled as "confidence" birds, that is, decoys set out alone or with a rig of another species to instill a false sense of security in wary waterfowl.

It has not been determined whether Wilson fashioned this great blue heron for use or simply for amusement and his own satisfaction. Although known primarily as a decoy carver, Wilson also is said to have created such non-utilitarian whimsies as a full-sized tiger and a large rattlesnake, the latter being nailed to his garage roof! After the sudden death of his second wife, he reputedly entertained the idea of carving a life-sized woman, "dress & all," but apparently he was dissuaded from this notion by neighbors concerned about his mental stability. His ideas probably were better indications of a vivid imagination, as illustrated by this large, jauntily-painted bird, but an assessment of more of his carvings is needed to form a realistic idea of the range and scope of his work.