Skip to main content

Gus Wilson

Antique Carved Wood Swan Preening - Gus Wilson / Frank Finney Style
Antique Carved Wood Swan Preening - Gus Wilson / Frank Finney Style

Antique Carved Wood Swan Preening - Gus Wilson / Frank Finney Style

By Frank Finney

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Acquired on a trip to New Hampshire. Not sure the artist. Carved out of solid wood. Shows Swan/Goose preening with its head back. Rustic finish with some fading/chipping. Head...

Category

20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood, Paint

Recent Sales

Flying Mallard Hen Decoy Attributed to Gus Wilson
Flying Mallard Hen Decoy Attributed to Gus Wilson

Flying Mallard Hen Decoy Attributed to Gus Wilson

Unavailable

H 13.75 in W 23 in D 21 in

Flying Mallard Hen Decoy Attributed to Gus Wilson

By Gus Wilson

Located in New Hope, PA

A carved and painted flying mallard decoy attributed to carver Augustus Aaron 'Gus' Wilson (1864-1950) of South Portland, Maine.

Category

Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Decoys

Materials

Wood

Folk Art Preening White Winged Scoter Decoy by Reggie Birch
Folk Art Preening White Winged Scoter Decoy by Reggie Birch

Folk Art Preening White Winged Scoter Decoy by Reggie Birch

Located in Nantucket, MA

Folk Art Preening White Winged Scoter Decoy by Reggie Birch, circa 2000, in the manner of a Gus Wilson Monhegan Island decoy, hand carved of white cedar with neck and head turned bac...

Category

Late 20th Century American Folk Art Decoys

Materials

Cedar

Red Breasted Merganser Decoy, circa 1960s
Red Breasted Merganser Decoy, circa 1960s

Red Breasted Merganser Decoy, circa 1960s

Sold

H 5.25 in W 19.5 in D 5 in

Red Breasted Merganser Decoy, circa 1960s

Located in Nantucket, MA

The posture with head both slightly turned to the left, and slightly canted or cocked to the left as well, is a delightful tricked learned from the great Maine decoy artist Gus Wilso...

Category

Vintage 1960s Canadian Folk Art Decoys

Materials

Pine

Gus Wilson Turned Head Black Duck Decoy, Maine, circa 1930s
Gus Wilson Turned Head Black Duck Decoy, Maine, circa 1930s

Gus Wilson Turned Head Black Duck Decoy, Maine, circa 1930s

By Gus Wilson

Located in Nantucket, MA

Gus Wilson was born 8 September 1864 in the small town of Tremont on Mount Desert Island.

Category

Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Decoys

Materials

Pine

Surf Scoter Decoy
Surf Scoter Decoy

Surf Scoter Decoy

Sold

H 10.5 in W 17.5 in D 8.25 in

Surf Scoter Decoy

By Frank Finney

Located in Nantucket, MA

Carved and painted in the Gus Wilson Manner by master contemporary carver and folk artist Frank Finney with relief wing carving and hollow body.

Category

Late 20th Century North American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Pine

Gus Wilson Black Duck
Gus Wilson Black Duck

Gus Wilson Black Duck

Sold

H 8 in W 18 in D 6 in

Gus Wilson Black Duck

By Gus Wilson

Located in New York, NY

Classic Gus Wilson black duck with carved raised wings with old paint.

Category

20th Century American Folk Art Decoys

Materials

Wood

You May Also Like

Hand Carved Large Vintage Antique Wood Duck Decoy Sculpture, Early 20th Century
Hand Carved Large Vintage Antique Wood Duck Decoy Sculpture, Early 20th Century

Hand Carved Large Vintage Antique Wood Duck Decoy Sculpture, Early 20th Century

Located in Studio City, CA

A fantastic early to Mid-20th Century hand-carved and painted wood duck or mallard decoy. This piece has an wonderful color and texture. From an impressive Los Angeles vintage du...

Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decoys

Materials

Wood, Paint

Large Late 19th Century Wood Scandinavian Painted Swan Decoy Centerpiece
Large Late 19th Century Wood Scandinavian Painted Swan Decoy Centerpiece

Large Late 19th Century Wood Scandinavian Painted Swan Decoy Centerpiece

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Very charming vintage wooden hand-carved swan sculpture with a detailed bill and raised wings. This European folk art swan features an aged white painted finish and patina. We see th...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Folk Art Decoys

Materials

Wood, Paint

Mason Premier Grade Bluebill Drake, circa 1920
Mason Premier Grade Bluebill Drake, circa 1920

Mason Premier Grade Bluebill Drake, circa 1920

$1,475

H 6 in W 13.75 in D 5.25 in

Mason Premier Grade Bluebill Drake, circa 1920

Located in Nantucket, MA

Antique Mason Premier Grade Bluebill Drake Decoy, circa 1920, having head with glass eyes and carved mandible, nares and nail on bill, attached to hollow carved two part body (seam i...

Category

Vintage 1920s American Folk Art Decoys

Materials

Wood

Hen Merganser Hunting Decoy attributed to John Dawson Folk Art, Americana
Hen Merganser Hunting Decoy attributed to John Dawson Folk Art, Americana

Hen Merganser Hunting Decoy attributed to John Dawson Folk Art, Americana

$9,600Sale Price|61% Off

H 5.91 in W 17.13 in D 5.52 in

Hen Merganser Hunting Decoy attributed to John Dawson Folk Art, Americana

By John Dawson

Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos

Carved and polychromed wood; retains original painted surface. Glass Eyes. Attributed to John Dawson, Trenton, New Jersey, 1900-1925. Dawson worked as a kiln operator at the Scammel ...

Category

Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Decoys

Materials

Wood

Folk Art Hand Carved Swan Decoy Sculpture, Wood, Circa 1986, Vintage
Folk Art Hand Carved Swan Decoy Sculpture, Wood, Circa 1986, Vintage

Folk Art Hand Carved Swan Decoy Sculpture, Wood, Circa 1986, Vintage

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Vintage hand carved and painted Swan decoy. Traditional style of classic waterfowl hunting decoys. Textured feather details on wings and tail. Natural preening pose with a dramatic l...

Category

20th Century American Folk Art Decoys

Materials

Wood, Paint

Hand Carved Vintage Antique Wood Duck Mallard Decoy Sculpture Early 20th Century
Hand Carved Vintage Antique Wood Duck Mallard Decoy Sculpture Early 20th Century

Hand Carved Vintage Antique Wood Duck Mallard Decoy Sculpture Early 20th Century

Located in Studio City, CA

A fantastic early to Mid-20th Century hand-carved and painted antique wood duck or mallard decoy. This piece has an wonderful color (notice the white side patch against dark body) an...

Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decoys

Materials

Wood, Paint

Art Deco French Hand Painted Wood Duck Decoy
Art Deco French Hand Painted Wood Duck Decoy

Art Deco French Hand Painted Wood Duck Decoy

$450

H 7.7 in W 15.2 in D 6 in L 7.7 in

Art Deco French Hand Painted Wood Duck Decoy

Located in Austin, TX

Art Deco French Hand Painted Wood Duck Decoy.

Category

Vintage 1930s French Rustic Decoys

Materials

Wood

Hand Carved Signed Vintage Folk Art Wood Swan Decoy Sculpture
Hand Carved Signed Vintage Folk Art Wood Swan Decoy Sculpture

Hand Carved Signed Vintage Folk Art Wood Swan Decoy Sculpture

Located in Studio City, CA

A fantastic, hand-carved Folk Art swan decoy with a wonderful classic shape, beautiful white color and finely carved form. The work is signed by the artist on the base/underside. S...

Category

20th Century American Folk Art Decoys

Materials

Wood, Paint

Mid-Century Hand-Crafted and Hand-Painted  Hardwood American Duck Decoy
Mid-Century Hand-Crafted and Hand-Painted  Hardwood American Duck Decoy

Mid-Century Hand-Crafted and Hand-Painted Hardwood American Duck Decoy

Located in Germantown, MD

An Mid Century, large, Hand-crafted and Hand-Painted American life size Duck Decoy measuring 20" in width, 9" in depth and 13" in height.

Category

Mid-20th Century American American Classical Decoys

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

Early 20th Century Hand Painted Duck Decoy Antique German
Early 20th Century Hand Painted Duck Decoy Antique German

Early 20th Century Hand Painted Duck Decoy Antique German

Located in Nuernberg, DE

Found in Germany at an estate sale, this hand carved and hand painted duck decoy is perfect for the collector. Well used by a previous hunter the paint has faded through time althoug...

Category

Vintage 1910s German Folk Art Decoys

Materials

Wood, Paint

Early 20th Century English Folk Art Decoy Duck Form
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Decoy Duck Form

Early 20th Century English Folk Art Decoy Duck Form

$641Sale Price|20% Off

H 7 in W 13 in D 5 in

Early 20th Century English Folk Art Decoy Duck Form

Located in London, GB

Early 20th century English Folk Art decoy duck form A working example of an early 20th century English Folk Art decoy. Hand carved from wood, with lead weight still in place at the ...

Category

Vintage 1920s British Folk Art Decoys

Materials

Pine

Classic Maine Eider Drake Decoy, circa 1920s
Classic Maine Eider Drake Decoy, circa 1920s

Classic Maine Eider Drake Decoy, circa 1920s

$925

H 7.5 in W 14.25 in D 6.5 in

Classic Maine Eider Drake Decoy, circa 1920s

Located in Nantucket, MA

Classic antique Maine Eider Drake Decoy, circa 1920s, with head tucked back in contented posture. Decoy is in well worn original paint with touch-ups to the black areas. The neck has...

Category

Vintage 1920s American Folk Art Decoys

Materials

Wood

Late 19th Century Hand Painted Bluebill Rochester Duck Decoy Antique
Late 19th Century Hand Painted Bluebill Rochester Duck Decoy Antique

Late 19th Century Hand Painted Bluebill Rochester Duck Decoy Antique

Located in Nuernberg, DE

Found in Germany at an estate sale, this hand carved and hand painted duck decoy is perfect for the collector. Well used by a previous hunter the paint has faded through time althoug...

Category

Antique 1880s American Folk Art Decoys

Materials

Wood, Paint

European Hand-Carved Folk Art Duck Decoy, Wood and Paint, Mid-20th Century
European Hand-Carved Folk Art Duck Decoy, Wood and Paint, Mid-20th Century

European Hand-Carved Folk Art Duck Decoy, Wood and Paint, Mid-20th Century

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Charming Hand-Carved Folk Art Duck Decoy. The duck features wonderful patina throughout including paint and glass eye. Wonderful collectable piece to add to a grouping. We think this...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Decoys

Materials

Wood, Paint

Harry V. Shourds Signed Vintage Antique Wood Duck Decoy Sculpture
Harry V. Shourds Signed Vintage Antique Wood Duck Decoy Sculpture

Harry V. Shourds Signed Vintage Antique Wood Duck Decoy Sculpture

Located in Studio City, CA

A fantastic hand-carved and painted wood duck decoy (possibly a New Jersey Bluebill) by Harry V. Shourds. The piece is signed/branded on the underside. Would be a great additio...

Category

20th Century Folk Art Decoys

Materials

Wood, Paint

Early 20th-Century North American Folk Art Working Duck Decoy, Circa 1900–1930
Early 20th-Century North American Folk Art Working Duck Decoy, Circa 1900–1930

Early 20th-Century North American Folk Art Working Duck Decoy, Circa 1900–1930

Located in Lincoln, GB

Early 20th-Century North American Folk Art Working Duck Decoy, Circa 1900–1930 A wonderfully characterful early 20th-century North American carved and painted wooden working duck dec...

Category

Vintage 1930s American Decoys

Materials

Wood

People Also Browsed

Sasco Semi-Flush Mount Brass Light Fixture, Custom Finishes
Sasco Semi-Flush Mount Brass Light Fixture, Custom Finishes

Sasco Semi-Flush Mount Brass Light Fixture, Custom Finishes

Located in Pound Ridge, NY

The Sasco is a versatile custom-made solid brass and glass globe light fixture, which can be mounted on the ceiling or wall. Shown here in our factory brass, an uneven unfinished br...

Category

2010s American Flush Mount

Materials

Brass

Pair of 70s Style Italian Bamboo and Brass Table Lamps
Pair of 70s Style Italian Bamboo and Brass Table Lamps

Pair of 70s Style Italian Bamboo and Brass Table Lamps

Located in New York, NY

Monumental size Bamboo lamps. Crafted in Italy and made to order, these lamps are modern and chic. Production lead time 2-4 weeks. Base diameter 8 inches, hat diameter 20 inches, he...

Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Pair of Vintage American Handmade and Painted Duck Decoys
Pair of Vintage American Handmade and Painted Duck Decoys

Pair of Vintage American Handmade and Painted Duck Decoys

Located in Germantown, MD

Elegant pair of Vintage American Handmade and Hand Painted Duck Decoys in good vintage condition, measuring 15" in width, 4" in depth and 5.5"in height for one, 13" in width , 4 inch...

Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Decoys

Materials

Wood, Paint

20th Century Sleeping Canada Goose Decoy
20th Century Sleeping Canada Goose Decoy

20th Century Sleeping Canada Goose Decoy

$1,850

H 10.5 in W 22 in D 8 in

20th Century Sleeping Canada Goose Decoy

Located in Chicago, IL

A beautiful 20th century American life-size sleeping Canada Goose decoy with its original paint, a removable head and neck, and glass eyes, on a custom steel mount.

Category

20th Century American Country Decoys

Materials

Wood

Pair Of Early 20th Century Folk Art Decoy Ducks
Pair Of Early 20th Century Folk Art Decoy Ducks

Pair Of Early 20th Century Folk Art Decoy Ducks

$980 / set

H 8.27 in W 14.18 in D 5.91 in

Pair Of Early 20th Century Folk Art Decoy Ducks

Located in Hastings, GB

Great pair of circa 1910-1920 folk art decoy ducks, hand crafted in cork and wood, each with an old iron bracket to the base, probably used to pull them along in the water. Each of t...

Category

Vintage 1910s English Folk Art Decoys

Materials

Wood, Cork

Vintage Boho Life Size Swan Decoy
Vintage Boho Life Size Swan Decoy

Vintage Boho Life Size Swan Decoy

$1,750

H 23 in W 10.25 in D 38 in

Vintage Boho Life Size Swan Decoy

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Capture the serene elegance of nature with this stunning, life-size swan sculpture. Expertly hand-carved from solid wood and finished in a deep, ebonized hue, this piece embodies a s...

Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

English Cork Antique Mallard Decoy Duck, Original Paint Early 20th Century
English Cork Antique Mallard Decoy Duck, Original Paint Early 20th Century

English Cork Antique Mallard Decoy Duck, Original Paint Early 20th Century

Located in Rothley, Leicestershire

Antique English wood and cork Mallard drake decoy with original paint. Hand crafted in England. Lightweight, with impressionistic shape and form. Circa early 20th century. Tip of...

Category

Antique Early 1900s English Early Victorian Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Cork

1930's Havre de Grace Canadian Goose Decoy
1930's Havre de Grace Canadian Goose Decoy

1930's Havre de Grace Canadian Goose Decoy

$1,595

H 10.5 in W 27 in D 8.5 in

1930's Havre de Grace Canadian Goose Decoy

Located in High Point, NC

Original hand carved and painted Canadian Goose decoy from the area of Havre de Grace in Maryland. This piece came out of a collector's estate who was an avid hunter and collector...

Category

Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Life Size Swan Decoy
Life Size Swan Decoy

Life Size Swan Decoy

$2,300

H 21 in W 10 in D 25 in

Life Size Swan Decoy

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Decorative swan decoy carved from a barn beam. Glass eyes, original paint. Carved by Fred and Sally Schieber and stamped "F&S" on bottom. F&S carved wood swans were decorative decoys...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Chesapeake Bay Scaup Drake Sink Box Wing Decoy, circa 1940
Chesapeake Bay Scaup Drake Sink Box Wing Decoy, circa 1940

Chesapeake Bay Scaup Drake Sink Box Wing Decoy, circa 1940

Located in Nantucket, MA

Early Chesapeake Bay Scaup Drake Sink Box Wing Decoy, circa 1940, a very shallow flat bodied decoy in original condition, original black and white paint on head and body, and painted...

Category

Vintage 1940s American Folk Art Decoys

Materials

Wood

Life Size Swan Decoy
Life Size Swan Decoy

Life Size Swan Decoy

$2,530

H 17 in W 10 in D 32 in

Life Size Swan Decoy

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Swan decoy from Havre de Grace, Maryland. Original paint. Period: Mid-20th century Origin: Maine, United States Size: 32” x 10” x 17’ Family Owned & Operated Cisco’s Gallery deals ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

D.W. Nichol Signed Hand Carved Wood Duck Decoy, Male Cinnamon Teal
D.W. Nichol Signed Hand Carved Wood Duck Decoy, Male Cinnamon Teal

D.W. Nichol Signed Hand Carved Wood Duck Decoy, Male Cinnamon Teal

Located in Studio City, CA

A wonderful work, a male cinnamon teal, hand carved and painted by renowned duck decoy artist D W Nichol. Beautifully crafted and decorated. The work is signed "Male Cinnamon Teal...

Category

20th Century Canadian Folk Art Decoys

Materials

Wood, Paint

Pair of Early 20th Century American Eider Duck Decoys
Pair of Early 20th Century American Eider Duck Decoys

Pair of Early 20th Century American Eider Duck Decoys

Located in Chicago, IL

A special and whimsical pair of early 20th century American hands-carved wood Eider Duck decoys with black and white painted bodies and eyes.

Category

Vintage 1920s American Country Decoys

Materials

Wood

Elmer Crowell Quarter Sized Canada Goose Decoy, circa 1930s
Elmer Crowell Quarter Sized Canada Goose Decoy, circa 1930s

Elmer Crowell Quarter Sized Canada Goose Decoy, circa 1930s

Located in Nantucket, MA

Antique Quarter Sized Canada Goose Decoy, by J.Elmer Crowell, East Harwich, MA (1862 - 1952), circa 1928 - 1943, a hand carved and painted diminutive Canada Goose goose decoy signed ...

Category

Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Decoys

Materials

Cedar

White Winged Scoter Decoy by Elmer Crowell, circa 1910
White Winged Scoter Decoy by Elmer Crowell, circa 1910

White Winged Scoter Decoy by Elmer Crowell, circa 1910

Located in Nantucket, MA

Early White Winged Scoter Decoy by Elmer Crowell (East Harwich: 1862-1952), circa 1910, a hand carved and painted large decoy in the simple paint of a white winged scoter. This is an...

Category

Vintage 1910s American Folk Art Decoys

Materials

Cedar

19th Century Sink Box Decoys
19th Century Sink Box Decoys

19th Century Sink Box Decoys

$4,500 / set

H 8 in W 15 in D 8 in

19th Century Sink Box Decoys

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Pair of canvas back sink box canvasback decoys used by a market hunter on Long Island. Original paint. Over 20 pounds each. Period: Last quarter 19th century Origin: Sanders Foundr...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

Materials

Wood

Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Gus Wilson", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

A Close Look at Folk-art Furniture

Folk art is a genre of art that shares the creator’s traditions, offering not just an artistic display but an opportunity to learn about a culture. Antique, new and vintage folk art typically reflects a heritage or location. It can include utilitarian objects and handmade art as diverse as weather vanes, duck decoys, portraiture and paintings, carnival art and quilts.

Quilts are a quintessential part of American folk art but their roots are international, with quilting dating back to Ancient Egypt. The practice spread to Europe and was especially prominent in the Middle Ages, with one of the oldest surviving examples being the Tristan quilt made in Sicily in the 14th century. They were made as bedcovers and clothing, including as a layer for knights to wear beneath their armor. Native American folk art includes functional objects reflecting their heritage, such as baskets, textiles and wooden pieces.

Elsewhere, the vast range of work associated with Mexican folk art includes masks made by Mexican craftspeople for traditional celebrations and ceremonial dances. Mexican masks are part of the country’s folk-art traditions that go back thousands of years and play a role in festivals and theater.

Works in the folk art tradition are valuable because of the skills involved, like weaving, hand-carving wood and even stonework. Many folk artists are self-taught, while some train as apprentices within their community. By using available materials and taking a personal approach to their creations, artists ensure each piece is unique and conveys a story.

During the Great Depression, artistic materials in America were hard to come by, so artisans used discarded wood from cigar boxes and shipping crates to make highly stylized, notched pieces — most often picture frames and boxes — that are today sought after by collectors. This folk art style is called tramp art and was popular from roughly 1870 until the 1940s.

Folk art brings vibrant culture and traditions into your home. Browse an extensive collection of antique, new and vintage folk art on 1stDibs.

Finding the Right Folk-art for You

Folk art refers to a genre of art that shares the creator’s traditions, offering not just an artistic display but an opportunity to learn about a culture. Vintage, new and antique folk art typically reflects a heritage or location. It can include utilitarian objects and handmade art as diverse as weather vanes, portraiture and paintings, carnival art, quilts and duck decoys.

American folk art is frequently valued because of the traditional skills involved, like weaving, hand-carving wood and even stonework. Many folk artists are self-taught, while some train as apprentices within their community. By using available materials and taking a personal approach to their creations, artists ensure each piece is unique and conveys a story. Native American folk art includes functional objects reflecting their heritage, such as baskets, textiles and wooden pieces.

During the Great Depression, artistic materials in America were hard to come by, so artisans used discarded wood from cigar boxes and shipping crates to make highly stylized, notched pieces — most often picture frames and boxes — that are today sought after by collectors. This folk art style is called tramp art and was popular from roughly 1870 until the 1940s.

Folk art brings vibrant culture and traditions into your home. Browse an extensive collection of folk art on 1stDibs.