Description: Approx. 2/3 life-size; adult pair on driftwood base, male standing on right, tail partially spread, head turned left, female on lower left, nested on wood, left toes protruding, tail folded, neck down, head turned slightly left; both with glass eyes, metal feet, carved, burned and painted detail. Signed "Gilley" on center of base. Marked "Grouse, made for Addie Gilley" on underside of base.
Description: Approx. 1/6 life size adults; mounted on driftwood attached to oblong carved wooden base, male on right, head erect and turned slightly right; glass eyes, wire legs, bristle "beard" - female on right, head lowered, right leg back in scratching pose; glass eyes, metal legs; both have carved and painted detail. Signed "Gilley" on left side of driftwood. Marked and dated "Made for Addie Gilley birthday, 1975, Wild Turkey 1975, by Wendell Gilley" on underside of base. [show more]
Description: Life-size; Swimming, flat bottomed adult, head erect, facing inward; Glass eyed, smooth surface with some carved and painted decorative detail, several piece hollow construction. Signed and dated "W. Gilley, 1968" on underside.
Description: Two life-sized chickadees on a driftwood base, one hanging upside down on branch, one standing on bottom left of base; both have pin head eyes, wire legs, painted details. Signed and dated "Gilley '59" on left side of base. Bottom of base covered with grey felt.
Description: Life size drake; standing on driftwood base, head erect, turned to left; Glass eyes, metal feet, carved , burned and painted detail. Signed "Gilley" on left rear of base. Marked "For Addie Gilley, Green -winged Teal by W.H. Gilley, 1974" on underside of base. Stamped "W.H. Gilley" between legs.
Description: Life-size; Adult bird on driftwood base, standing hunched over as if fishing; Glass eyes, metal legs, painted, carved, burned details. Signed "Gilley '76" on underside of base. Marked "Green Heron by Wendell Gilley, 1976."
Description: Approx. 1/4 life size; Adult mounted on driftwood base, standing upright, body horizontal, neck erect, head turned slightly left; glass eyes, metal feet, carved and painted detail. Unsigned. Paint cracked at top of right leg.
Description: Approx. 1/2 life size; adult on driftwood base, standing, neck down, beak horizontal, facing forward; glass eyes, metal legs, carved and burned detail. Signed "Gilley" on base.
Description: Approx. 1/4 life size; adults on driftwood base; gander on left has head turned slightly left, neck erect; goose on lower right bent left with neck down; both with glass eyes, metal legs; carved, burned and painted detail. Signed "Gilley" on left of base, marked "Addie Gilley, Canada Geese, 1971 by W.H. Gilley" on underside of base.
Description: Approx. 1/3 life size; adult on driftwood base, head turned over left shoulder, preening left wing; glass eyes, metal legs, carved and painted detail. Underside of base marked "Addie Gilley" faded stamp: Wendell H. Gilley, Southwest Harbor, Maine 04679."
Description: Life size; adult on driftwood base, standing, right foot forward, beak agape, wings outspread, tail erect; glass eyes, metal legs, carved, burned and painted detail. Signed "Gilley" on base. Marked "Made for Addie Gilley, 1974, by W.H. Gilley" on underside of base.
Description: Approx. 1/3 life size; adult on driftwood base, standing upright, mouth agape, head turned to left, crests erect; glass eyes, metal feet, carved, burned and painted detail. Signed "Gilley 74" on base. Marked "made for Addie Gilley, 1974, Double Crested Cormorant by W.H. Gilley" on underside of base.
Description: Life size; swimming, flat bottom adult, head turned to left, crest down; glass eyes, burned and painted detail. Marked "Wood Duck made for Addie Gilley, Christmas 1970, by W.H. Gilley."
Description: Approx. 1/5 life size; adult on driftwood stump attached to carved oblong base, standing on toes, wings raised over head, head turned slightly to right; glass eyes, carved, burned and painted detail. Unsigned.
Description: Life size; adult on driftwood attached to carved oblong base, perched upright, head turned slightly left; glass eyes, metal feet, carved, burned and painted detail. Marked, dated, signed "Kingfisher, made for Addie Gilley, 1973, by W.H. Gilley" on underside of base.
Description: Life size; adult male and female on driftwood attached to oblong carved wooden base, male on branch above female, perched, tilted downward, tail raised, female on lower part of branch, body horizontal, head cocked right. Signed "Gilley" on lower left of base front. Marked "Property of Addie Gilley" on underside of base.
Description: Life size; adult male on driftwood base, standing, tail slightly raised, feathers spread, head turned slightly left, carved, burned and painted detail; glass eyes, metal feet. Marked "Ruffed Grouse by W.H. Gilley, 1973, property of Addie Gilley, Southwest Harbor, Maine" on underside of base.
Description: Approx. 1/4 life size; adult on shaped wooden "pier" attached to round, flat wooden base, standing, head raised, two fish hanging out of bill; glass eyes, metal feet, carved, burned and painted detail. Signed "Gilley" on front of base, stamped "Wendell H. Gilley, Southwest Harbor, ME 04679" on underside of base. Marked "Addie Gilley, xmas 1975."
Description: Approx. 1/4 life size; adult on shaped wooden "pier" attached to circular, flat wooden base, standing, facing forward, head and beak vertical; glass eyes, metal feet, carved, burned and painted detail. Signed "by Wendell Gilley," marked "Addie Gilley, Xmas 1975" on underside of base. Companion piece no. 81.1.21.
Description: Life size; adult on burnt driftwood base, attached to base by left foot, standing, right leg slightly raised, hood turned slightly left; glass eyes, metal legs, carved, burned and painted detail. Signed "Gilley '76" on left of base, marked "Gilley, Clapper Rail" on underside of base.
Description: Approx. 1/2 life size; adult swimming, flat bottom, carved and painted fish in beak, head tilted left; glass eyes, carved and painted decorative detail. Signed "Gilley" and marked "Addie Gilley" on underside of base. Dated "1946"
Description: Decorative flying eagle; clutching flagpole in left talon with attached banner:. "E Pluribus Unum" carved and painted decorative detail. Attached hanging wire. Signed "Wendell Gilley," marked "Addie Gilley" on back.
Description: Decorative eagle looking upwards, wings out stretched horizontally, left talon in relief clutching shield, back has two screws and a hinge attaching banner to wing, screw eye for hanging at top and lower right. Painted in red, white and blue, with flag pole and banner reading "Dum Vivimus Viviamus." After the style of carver John Hailey Bellamy (1836-1914). Marked "Addie Gilley," stamped "Wendell H. Gilley, Southwest Harbor, Maine." [show more]
Description: Life size pair; adults on burned driftwood attached to oblong carved wooden base, left bird higher, standing, wings up, beak agape, right bird standing, wings closed, beak closed; both birds with glass eyes, metal feet. Signed "Gilley" on left of base. Marked "Common Tern, Addie Gilley, 1976" on underside of base.
Description: Life size; male and female on oblong, sand covered wooden base with two attached driftwood pieces, male standing on burned driftwood, head turned over left shoulder, facing front of composition, female on lower right, attached to oblong base, head to ground, tail up; both have glass eyes, metal legs, carved, burned and painted detail. Unsigned. Marked "Property of Addie Gilley, Ruddy Turnstone, 1975" on underside of base.
Description: Half size; adult standing on driftwood attached to round carved wooden base, left leg bent, neck erect, beak closed around carved, painted trout; glass eyes, metal legs, carved, burned and painted detail. Signed "Gilley" on left of base.
Description: Approx. 1/5 life size adult on driftwood base, neck bent down, scratching head with right foot; glass eyes, metal feet, carved, burned and painted detail. Signed "Gilley '71" on left of base.
Description: Life size; adult male and female , male perched on carved ax set in stump, female perched on stump; glass eyes, metal feet, realistic carved and painted detail. Signed "Gilley '72" on top back of ax handle.
Description: Life size; adult on driftwood base, standing with right foot forward, head turned slightly to left; glass eyes, metal legs, carved and painted details. Stamped "Gilley" on body between legs. Signed "Gilley" on base, marked "Yellowlegs by W.H. Gilley, made for Addie Gilley, Aug 1972" on underside of base.
Description: Approx. 3/4 life size; pair on driftwood base, bird on left standing erect, head turned to right and raised, looking upward, bird on right squatting, neck down, facing forward; both with glass eyes, metal feet, carved, burned and painted detail. Signed "Gilley '72" on base.
Description: Approx. 1/4 life size group of five; two males, three females on partially burned driftwood base, males on right, far right male preening breast feathers, females on left, far left female preening left shoulder; all with glass eyes, metal feet, carved and painted details. Unsigned.
Description: Life size adult, gray phase, alighting on driftwood perch attached to oblong, carved wooden base, wings outstretched; glass eyes, metal toenails, carved, burned and painted detail. Signed and marked "Screech Owl made for Addie Gilley, 1978, by Wendell Gilley" on underside of base.
Description: Life size; adult on driftwood base, squatting, tail up, neck arched back; glass eyes, metal legs, carved, burned and painted detail, beak made from naturally curved piece of ash. Bird was originally made standing erect, then changed - two holes where old legs were placed behind present pair. Unsigned.
Description: 3/4 to life size; adult male standing, head turned slightly to left on burl base, tail raised; painted eyes, metal feet, carved, burned and painted detail. Signed and marked "Ring-necked Pheasant for Addie Gilley by W.H. Gilley, 1976" on underside of base .
Description: Life size; pair on driftwood piece attached to oblong carved wooden base with painted metal glass in foreground, upper owl has wings up, head turned left facing front of piece, ear tufts erect, tail fanned out, legs reaching down as if alighting, lower owl perched, wings closed, ear tufts erect; both with glass eyes, metal toenails, carved, burned and painted detail. Signed"Gilley '75" on lower left of driftwood. Marked "Long-eared Owls by Wendell Gilley" on underside of base. [show more]
Description: Approx. 1/3 life size; adult standing erect on driftwood base attached to oblong carved wooden base, head up, turned to right, beak open, tongue out; glass eyes, metal feet, carved, burned and painted detail. Signed "Gilley" on base. Marked " Golden Eagle made for Addie Gilley by Wendell Gilley 1980" on underside of base.
Description: Near life size; on driftwood piece attached to oblong carved wooden base, bird on right standing erect, head turned to right, left leg raised, left bird bending over, right leg raised; both birds with glass eyes, metal legs and feet. Signed "Gilley '75" on left of base. Marked "Property of Addie Gilley, Marbled Godwit 1975, by W.H. Gilley" on underside.
Description: Decorative three dimensional eagle plaque, head turned left, painted gold, made from two pieces of wood. Has screw eye for hanging. Signed " W.H. Gilley" on back of right wing. Marked "Addie Gilley."
Description: Life size; adult standing erect, chick fits between adult's feet, standing erect and looking up at adult; both with glass eyes, semi-detailed. Signed and marked "Made for Addie Gilley, Gilley 1976" on underside of adult. Chick signed "Gilley '76" and marked "Addie."
Description: Life size; adult standing upright on driftwood base, beak down; glass eyes, metal feet, carved, burned and painted detail. Signed "Gilley" on base. Marked "Woodcock, Gilley" on underside.
Description: Almost life size; adult on driftwood piece attached to oblong carved wooden base, wings raised, tail spread, head down, beak open, tongue exposed; glass eyes, metal toenails, extensive carved, burned and painted detail. Faded signature: "Gilley" on left of base. Marked "Osprey (near life size) by Wendell H. Gilley, SW Harbor, Maine, 1973, property of Addie B. Gilley" on underside of base.
Description: Decorative eagle, head turned right, wings spread, talons clutching branch; unpainted, fitted for wall hanging. Signed "W.H. Gilley" on back. Marked "made especially for Addie B. Gilley."
Description: Almost life size; three flying adults attached by wires from male's (center bird) feet to driftwood piece attached to oblong carved wooden base; base has metal grass, two additional pieces of driftwood, touches of green paint. Birds attached to each other with wire, upper female attached to male by hole beneath tail, lower female attached to male by wire from left wing, all birds with glass eyes, metal feet, carved, burned and painted detail. Signed "Gilley" on side of driftwood stump. Marked "Bob White by W.H. Gilley, 1974" on underside of base. [show more]
Description: Approx. 1/3 life size; two males and two female adults on driftwood base, male on far right has right wing extended, beak is preening right shoulder, two females in center, other male on far left, neck erect; all have glass eyes, metal feet, carved, burned and painted detail. Unsigned.
Description: Approx. 1/3 life size; six cormorants, five adults and one juvenile on driftwood base in various postures, all oriented towards left; all have glass eyes, metal feet, carved, burned and painted detail. Unsigned
Description: Life size; adult perched sidelong on driftwood piece attached to oblong carved wooden base, toes three front one back, head turned to right shoulder; glass eyes, metal feet, carved, burned and painted detail. Signed "Gilley '76" on base. Marked "Barn Owl made for Addie Gilley, 1976, by Wendell Gilley" on underside of base.
Description: Life size; male and female on driftwood piece attached to oblong carved wooden base, male standing, neck erect above crouched female with neck down; both with glass eyes, metal feet, carved, burned and painted detail. Signed "Gilley" on left of base. Marked "Wood Duck by W.H. Gilley, 1970-71, made for Addie Gilley, Feb. 20, 1971, Birthday" on underside.
Description: Life size; adult on burl base, standing on right leg, left leg raised, slips into and out of base on bolt ; glass eyes, metal feet, carved, burned and painted detail. Signed on belly, Wild Turkey by Wendell Gilley, 1972. Marked "by W.H. Gilley, made for Addie Gilley, 1972" on side of base.
Description: Life size; adult on driftwood piece attached to oblong carved wooden base; head turned to left, wings upraised, tail spread, talons clutching driftwood; glass eyes, metal toenails, carved, burned and painted detail. Signed "Gilley 1977" on base.
Description: Life size; adult on driftwood base, wings upraised, head turned left, beak agape; glass eyes, metal feet, carved, burned and painted detail. Signed "Gilley '71" on base. Marked made by Wendell Gilley, 1971, value $5,000, Addie Gilley" on underside of base.
Description: Life size; adult on driftwood piece attached to oblong carved wooden base, head turned slightly left, wings upraised, beak slightly open; glass eyes, metal toe nails, carved, burned and painted detail. Signed "Gilley '76" on base. Marked "Bald Eagle by Wendell Gilley, SW Harbor, ME, 1976" on underside of base. Commissioned by David Rockefeller as a gift for his brother Nelson Rockefeller to commemorate his term as Vice President. The carving resided in the White House for a period. [show more]
Description: Approx. 1/3 life size; three adult pintails on driftwood base, two males, one female, male on right, standing erect, male in center squat, female on far left, preening right wing; glass eyes, cast metal feet, carved, burned and painted detail. Marked "property of Addie Gilley, 1970" on underside of base.
Description: Miniature; bird on driftwood base; glass eyes, metal legs and feet, carved and painted detail. Stamped "W.H. Gilley, Southwest Harbor," marked "Yellow legs" on underside of base.
Description: Miniature; bird on driftwood base; glass eyes, metal legs and feet, carved and painted detail. Stamped "W.H. Gilley, Southwest Harbor" on underside of base.
Description: Almost life size; two chickadees on driftwood, both standing upright, left chickadee has head down; both with glass eyes, metal legs and feet, carved and painted detail. Signed "Gilley '58" on rear of base.
Description: Miniature; adult male perched on yellow birch base, head erect, tail spread; glass eyes, metal feet, carved and painted detail. Signed "Gilley" on lower left of base.
Description: Miniature; adult standing on driftwood base, head turned over right shoulder; glass eyes, metal feet, carved and painted detail. Signed "Gilley '60" on base.
Description: Miniature; adult male on driftwood base attached to oblong carved wooden base; glass eyes, metal feet. Signed "Gilley" on lower left of driftwood. Underside of base felt lined.
Description: Miniature; adult standing on driftwood base, neck bent, head turned left; glass eyes, metal feet, carved and painted detail. Signed on right of base. Partial felt bottom.
Description: Almost life size; male on driftwood "tree" attached to oblong sand-covered wooden base; glass eyes, wire feet, carved and painted detail. Signed "Gilley" on side of driftwood. Felt bottom.
Description: Approx. 1/3 life size; adult on driftwood base, head turned to right, ear tufts erect, 3 toes forward and 1 back; glass eyes, metal feet, carved and painted detail. Signed "Gilley 1960" on lower left of base.
Description: Miniatures; two adults on driftwood base, left heron stands with neck erect, right heron bent over; both with glass eyes, wire legs, metal crest feathers, carved and painted detail. Signed "Gilley" on right front of base.
Description: Miniatures; adults on driftwood attached to oblong green/black wooden base, right gull on toes, head down, wings and tail spread, left gull standing, wings folded; both with glass eyes, metal legs and feet, carved and painted detail. Signed "Gilley" on left of base.
Description: Miniature; well mounted on right side of driftwood piece, head down and turned slightly left, wings raised, tail spread; glass eyes, lead feet, carved and painted detail. Signed "Gilley" on lower left of driftwood. Has loop for hanging.
Description: Miniature; adult well-mounted on driftwood base, similar to piece no. 81.3.11, perched on right side spur, head down and turned slightly left, wings raised, tail spread; glass eyes, metal feet. Has loop for hanging. Can be removed from base. Signed on lower left of driftwood.
Description: 3 miniature adults on driftwood base ; far left gull taking flight on toes, wings raised, beak agape; middle gull standing, wing partially raised, partially folded; right side gull standing, wings folded ; all with painted details, metal feet ; signed on side of base: "Gilley",
Description: 2 pieces. Miniature swimming adult with carved and painted detail attached to lid of varnished pine box. Underside of box marked "Made by W.H. Gilley, Southwest Harbor, Maine". Lid has screw head visible in center of underside.
Description: Hen standing on slice of driftwood, right foot forward, facing downward, crest erect, glass eyes, painted, carved, burned detail, metal legs and feet, signed on base, "Gilley '73," underside of base stamped "Wendell Gilley, Southwest Harbor, Maine, 04679, 'Scaled or Blue Quail (Hen)'."
Description: Life size adult male on driftwood piece mounted on oblong carved wooden base ; head turned over left shoulder, glass eyes, metal feet, carved, burned and painted detail, signed, dated on base "Gilley '77." Underside of base marked "Sparrow Hawk or Kestrel, Made for Addie Gilley, Wendell Gilley, 1977." Yellow paint on glass eyes, two screw heads visible on underside of base.
Description: Oversize decoy made and used by Wendell Gilley and Roger Rich ; one of 24 made circa 1945. Head and body 2 separate pieces. Gilley made model, carved heads, Rich made bodies; decoys are hollow with removable, turnable heads on square oak pegs, do not swivel in water ; well defined shape with some painted detail, textured finish ; underside stamped "W.H. Gilley."
Description: Oversize decoy made and used by Wendell Gilley and Roger Rich ; one of 24 made circa 1945. Head and body 2 separate pieces. Gilley made model, carved heads, Rich made bodies; decoys are hollow with removable, turnable heads on square oak pegs, do not swivel in water ; well defined shape with some painted detail ; smooth finish ; underside stamped "W.H. Gilley."
Description: Oversize decoy made and used by Wendell Gilley and Roger Rich ; one of 24 made circa 1945. Head and body 2 separate pieces. Gilley made model, carved heads, Rich made bodies; decoys are hollow with removable, turnable heads on square oak pegs, do not swivel in water ; well defined shape with some painted detail, smooth finish ; underside stamped "W.H. Gilley."
Description: Oversize decoy made and used by Wendell Gilley and Roger Rich ; one of 24 made circa 1945. Head and body 2 separate pieces. Gilley made model, carved heads, Rich made bodies; decoys are hollow with removable, turnable heads on square oak pegs, do not swivel in water ; well defined shape with some painted detail ; smooth finish ; underside stamped "W.H. Gilley."
Description: Oversize decoy made and used by Wendell Gilley and Roger Rich ; one of 24 made circa 1945. Head and body 2 separate pieces. Gilley made model, carved heads, Rich made bodies; decoys are hollow with removable, turnable heads on square oak pegs, do not swivel in water ; well defined shape with some painted detail ; underside stamped "W.H. Gilley."
Description: Oversize decoy made and used by Wendell Gilley and Roger Rich ; one of 24 made circa 1945. Head and body 2 separate pieces. Gilley made model, carved heads, Rich made bodies; decoys are hollow with removable, turnable heads on square oak pegs, do not swivel in water ; well defined shape with some painted detail ; underside stamped "W.H. Gilley." Smooth finish.
Description: Oversize decoy made and used by Wendell Gilley and Roger Rich ; one of 24 made circa 1945. Head and body 2 separate pieces. Gilley made model, carved heads, Rich made bodies; decoys are hollow with removable, turnable heads on square oak pegs, do not swivel in water ; well defined shape with some painted detail ; smooth finish, head has painted beak, white on top of head and nape, eyes carved in and painted ; underside stamped "W.H. Gilley." [show more]
Description: Oversize decoy made and used by Wendell Gilley and Roger Rich ; one of 24 made circa 1945. Head and body 2 separate pieces. Gilley made model, carved heads, Rich made bodies; decoys are hollow with removable, turnable heads on square oak pegs, do not swivel in water ; well defined shape with some painted detail ; underside stamped "W.H. Gilley." Smooth finish, all black body, head black, eye brown, black pupil, beak yellow/orange/blue-grey. [show more]
Description: Oversize decoy made and used by Wendell Gilley and Roger Rich ; one of 24 made circa 1945. Head and body 2 separate pieces. Gilley made model, carved heads, Rich made bodies; decoys are hollow with removable, turnable heads on square oak pegs, do not swivel in water ; well defined shape with some painted detail ; smooth finish, black body, white wing patches, white patch by eye; underside stamped "W.H. Gilley."
Description: This letter describes three birds (a bobwhite, a yellowlegs, and a gull) carved by Wendell Gilley and owned by the letter writer, Isabel Thacher.
Description: Letter acknowledging return of a bob-white carving as well as discussion of solder and advice on where to get bass wood. Also included are sketches of the leg and foot of a Canada goose.
Description: Letter concerning the packing and shipping of a pintail duck carving commissioned from Wendell Gilley by Norman Willock and returned to the museum for repair.
Description: Letter describing O'Brien's sailing trip around Buckle Island, Swans Island and others and the eiders and ospreys he saw. This letter also mentions Gilley's idea for a museum.
Description: O'Brien acknowledges receipt of a spotted sandpiper carving from Gilley and discusses a handle Gillely designed for an X-Acto blade as well as decoy designs.
Description: Letter discusses publishing Gilley's book in a limited edition as well as including a photograph of Gilley with an osprey as an insert. It also mentions a carving of an owl and another of a bobwhite quail on a hatchet.
Description: Wendell Gilley standing in front of garage holding two carvings, an eagle and his first carving, a mallard made in 1930. On back of photo: "Wendell, Gilley, summer 1971, taken by Diane L. Kelly, his 1st & present bird in progress."
Description: Adult male, body held horizontal and low with tail fanned and pin arched upward ; head fully outstretched, twisted upward and to the right ; wire legs and metal webbed feet ; glass eyes ; signed "Gilley '61" on right rear side of base