Description: Canvasback drake in swimming position, adult plumage, scant carved detail ; completely withdrawn head, turned slightly to the right. Signed "by W. H. Gilley 1971"
Description: Adult in swimming position, head erect on slightly bent neck facing straight forward; glass eyes ; signed "Gilley 72" on underside where felt is cut away
Description: Now known as American Wigeon ; marked "Baldpate '74, #28" on underside of base ; humped "clamshell" base is a driftwood burl ; wire legs and metal feet with tiny talons; signed "Gilley" on left front of base
Description: Adult, standing on mesquite base, tail erect ; glass eyes, metal feet, carved, burned, and painted detail ; carved circa 1977, painted and completed winter, 1981. Signed "Gilley" with artist's branding iron on flat side of base. Companion piece 81.1.175.
Description: Life-size adult "running" on mesquite base ; glass eyes, metal feet, carved, burned and painted detail ; carved circa 1977, painted and completed winter 1981. Unsigned. Companion piece 81.1.174.
Description: Two adult birds on a roughly "J" shaped driftwood base ; glass eyes ; cast lead legs and feet. Signed "Gilley" on right side of driftwood base below the sitting gull ; inscribed "Made for Hilda - Hulda Bragdon 1972" on underside of base.
Description: Letter to the President of Warren Tool Co., Fred Clark, concerning wood carving tools and ways of holding tools on a work bench. Also mentioned is a grouse carving loaned to Harry Meech, one of the founders of the National Carvers Museum.
Description: Adult male in breeding plumage depicted on a wooden piling attached to egg-shaped pine base ; cast lead legs and feet, glass eyes ; signed "Gilley '75" on front of base. Underside of base marked: "Hilda and Hulda Bragdon, 1975" and signed "by Wendell Gilley"
Description: Adult bird balances on the front face of burl base with wire legs and toes with talons clutching downward ; deeply arched back with vertical tail and bill pointing almost to sky. Glass eyes. Signed "Gilley/'78" on top edge of base. Underside of base marked "House Wren 1978, #34" and stamped "Wendell H. Gilley".
Description: Glass eyes ; wire and metal feet and legs ; feet are atop a "stump" of a small branch mounted in turn on a carved pine base. Underside of base marked "Hermit Thrush by Wendell Gilley 1977.
Description: Approx. 1/4 life size group of four; two males, two females on driftwood branch mounted on smooth oblong wooden base. Underside of base inscribed "Wood Ducks by Wendell Gilley 1976".
Description: Number 102 of 1000 book edition. Contains 42 plates. Published by Frame House Printing. Also included with this book dontion are seven holiday cards created by Zimmerman and sent by him to the donor's parents.
Description: Saw-whet owl looking to the side, perched on driftwood branch attached to carved wooden base by single screw. Underside of base inscribed Saw-whet Owl 1/2 life size made for Mary Holmes 1973. Signed "Gilley" on lower part of driftwood branch.
Description: Great blue heron standing on driftwood branch. Metal legs and feet. Branch signed "Gilley '73" near feet. Underside inscribed "Gt. Blue Heron", "Addie Gilley",
Description: A guide to a fascinating hobby! Wendell Gilley was a bird watcher and artist who carved birds in wood on Mount Desert Island, Maine. He started out carving two-inch wooden birds for Abercrombie & Fitch. The book is beautifully illustrated with color photographs and with drawings.
Description: Miniature; flying carving, wire screwed into body for hanging; glass eyes, painted details of plumage and feet, some carved feather detail in wings; incorrect beak detail; artist copied from painting w/o front perspective. Signed: "Gilley" on white upper flank patch; "Addie Gilley" marked on underside of breast. Companion pieces: 81.1.15, 81.1.16.
Description: Miniature; flying, wire screwed into body for hanging; glass eyes, painted feet and plumage, carved feather detail in wings. Signed "Giley," under left wing; marked "Addie Gilley."
Description: 1/5 life size; on natural wooden base, hunched over as if watching for prey, toes positioned, 3 point back instead of natural 2:2; glass eyes, painted and carved detail. Signed: "Gilley '76" on right of base. Underside marked "Barn Owl by W.H. Gilley, Addie Gilley 1976."
Description: 1/4 life size; folded wings, perched on natural base; glass eyes, painted, semi-detailed plumage markings. Signed: "Gilley '73" on right side of base.
Description: Two carvings, 1/3 Life size (chickadee is in proportion to owl); mounted on natural wood, owl at bottom facing forward, chickadee perched on branch to the left and above the owl. On owl, two toes forward and two backward; no feet on chickadee; glued onto branch, Chickadee has pinhead black eyes, owl has glass eyes, both with painted and carved detail. Signed: "Gilley '72"; marked "l. eared owl," on underside of base.
Description: Life size; perched in downward stance on twig attached to carved wooden oblong base ; glass eyes, metal feet/legs ; blue paint partially rubbed off of head, back, and sides to give natural effect. Signed: "Gilley '76" on right side of base. Underside numbered "5."
Description: Life size; mounted on pear-shaped carved wooden base, perched sideways on branch, head turned forward; glass eyes. Signed "Gilley '76" on lower right. Underside marked: "Blue Bird by W.H Gilley 1976, 15."
Description: Life size adult in semi-upright stance, perched on twig attached to pear-shaped carved wooden base; glass eyes, has "observant look" ; metal legs/feet ; painted detail. Signed on base: "Gilley, '76." Underside marked: "Addie Gilley, 1976, 10."
Description: Life size, slightly oversized; perched on twig, mounted on carved oblong wooden base, horizontal stand, facing forward; glass eyes. Signed: "Gilley, '76" on right side of base, number 4 of 16. Underside marked "4 Addie Gilley."
Description: Miniature group on natural wooden base: male upright, wings hanging down, wire legs, painted feet; female nestled on wood, chicks between parent birds. Great degree of painted detail depicting adult and immature plumage. Signed "Gilley" on right side of base, underside marked: "Addie Gilley, Gilley."
Description: 1/4 life size; perched on driftwood mounted on carved wooden base, toes inaccurate: three front one rear instead of two and two; glass eyes, painted wired feet, painted detail. Signed lower right of natural wood: "Gilley." Underside of base marked: "Addie Gilley, Pileated Woodpecker, 1970, W.H. Gilley."
Description: 1/5 Life size; perched on natural wood, incorrect toes (3 front, 1 back,) head turned over left shoulder; glass eyes, 3-D feet, painted detail. Signed "Gilley" on right side of base, underside of base marked "Addie Birthday 1972."
Description: Miniature; mounted on driftwood base, standing up, neck drawn back, head turned slightly to left; carved feet, painted adult plumage details. Signed and dated "Gilley '72" on lower right side. Marked "Addie Gilley" on underside.
Description: Miniature; mounted on natural wood base; carved and painted eyes, 3D legs and feet, painted adult plumage. Signed and dated "'75 Gilley" on rear side of base. Marked "Bufflehead, Addie" on underside.
Description: Approx. 1/2 life size adult bird; perched facing full forward on natural wood mounted on carved wooden base, front toes protruding from body, ear tufts semi-erect, screw visible on underside of limb, extra screw hole in base adjacent to existing screw attaching limb to base; glass eyes. Signed "Gilley '73" on right front of base. Marked "Addie Gilley, Screeched Owl, grey phase, 1973" on underside of base.
Description: Miniature; mounted on natural wood base composed of two pieces, facing forward, head turned to right, front toes painted on to body; glass eyes. Signed "Gilley '72" on right side of base. Marked "Addie" on underside.
Description: Miniature; perched on driftwood "stump," attached to flat driftwood base, erect posture, facing forward; glass eyes, metal feet, adult plumage. Signed and dated "Gilley '73" on right side of base. Marked "Addie Gilley" on underside of base. One of only three miniature eagles.
Description: Miniature; mounted on driftwood base, erect posture, head turned right; glass eyes, metal feet, adult plumage. Signed and dated "Gilley '73" on right side of base. Marked "Addie Gilley" on underside of base. One of only three eagle miniatures.
Description: Life size; mounted on driftwood base, horizontal stance; glass eyes, wire legs and feet, painted detail. Signed "Gilley" on right of base. Marked "Junco, Addie Gilley, 1970" on underside of base.
Description: Miniature; "swimming" swan, neck erect, facing forward; painted and carved detail. Stamped "Wendell H. Gilley, Southwest Harbor, Maine, 04679, male Whistling Swan made for Addie Gilley by (writing smeared.) Only swimming swan made by W.H. Gilley.
Description: Life size; perched on twig screwed onto carved wood base, head and tail erect; glass eyes, painted feather detail, wired by feet. Signed "Gilley '79" on left of base. Marked "Addie Gilley birthday, 1979: on underside of base.
Description: Life size; perched sideways on twig, mounted on carved wooden base, beak open; glass eyes, wire legs and feet. Signed "Gilley" on right front of base as well as underside of base. Marked "Addie Gilley" on underside of base.
Description: Life size; adult on driftwood base, body horizontal, head erect, facing forward, right foot raised with only middle toe touching base; glass eyes, carved, burned and painted feather detail, wire legs and feet. Signed "Gilley" on right of base. Marked and dates "Killdeer, Addie Gilley, 1975" on underside of base.
Description: Approx. 1/3 life size; adult on natural burl base, head turned slightly to right, hunched back, squatting; burned and painted detail, feet lead. Signed and dated "Gilley '74" on right of base. Marked "Green-winged teal by W. Gilley for Addie Gilley, 1974" on underside of base.
Description: Life size; adult nestled on natural wood base, head pulled down, beak pointing downward, toes protruding; glass eyes, wire toes, painted detail. Signed "Gilley" on base. Marked and dated "Woodcock, 1971, Addie Gilley" on underside of base.
Description: Approx. 1/3 life size; perched on driftwood base, stands erect, tail horizontal; glass eyes, painted detail, wire legs and feet. Smeared signature on right side of base, "Gilley." Marked and dated "Ring-necked Pheasant by W. Gilley, 1973, Addie" on underside of base.
Description: Life size; pair mounted on driftwood base, male stands erect on right, female squats on left, head toward ground; both have glass eyes, wire feet and legs, painted detail. Unsigned, unmarked.
Description: Life size; drake mounted on burned driftwood base, head turned left, beak down; glass eyes, metal feet, carved, burned and painted detail. Signed "Gilley '74" on left side of base, marked "Blue-winged Teal by W.G. Gilley, 1974, made for Addie Gilley" on underside of base.
Description: Life size decoy; Swimming Teal, flat bottom, neck erect/back, facing forward; glass eyes, carved and painted detail. Marked, signed and dated "Made for Addie Gilley, Cinnamon Teal by W.H. Gilley, 1970" on underside.
Description: Life size; mounted on wood covered with sand simulating rock, erect posture, head turned slightly right; glass eyes, metal feet, carved, burned and painted detail. Marked, dated and signed "Property of Addie Gilley, Xmas 1977, made by Wendell Gilley, 1977" on underside of base.
Description: Approx. 1/2 life size; stands up semi erect, head turned to left; metal feet, carved and painted detail. Marked "Addie Gilley" on underside.
Description: Approx. 1/3 life size; mounted on driftwood base, standing semi-erect, head turned right; glass eyes, metal feet, carved and painted detail. Signed "Gilley" on left of base.
Description: Life size; mounted on driftwood base, standing erect, right leg raised, head turned left; glass eyes, metal legs, carved, burned and painted detail. Marked, dated and signed "for Addie Gilley, Upland Plover by W.H. Giley, 1974" on underside of base. Also called upland sandpiper Companion piece no. 81.1.97
Description: Life size adult; mounted on driftwood stump attached to carved oblong wooden base, perched upright, three toes of each foot protruding; glass eyes - somewhat marred, carved, burned and painted detail. Signed and dated "Gilley '76" on rear of driftwood.
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 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. 1/5 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 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Adult male sitting in the crotch of a Y shaped twig mount, body facing forward but head turned completely to the left ; glass eyes ; swirled driftwood root base. Signed "Gilley" and dated '71 on underside of base. Appears to have been overmarked '72
Description: One marked "Made for Hilda Bragdon by W.H. Gilley" on underside of base. The other marked "Made for Hulda Bragdon by W.H. Gilley" on underside of base. Both dated 1970.
Description: Marked "Model made by Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Carved on a carving machine. Assembled + painted by Wendell Gilley." Has round label "1M" on bottom.
Description: Birds painted in summer plumage. Bottom of driftwood base marked "Made for Hilda + Hulda Bragdon, Xmas 1971." Signed "Gilley" on right front of base.
Description: Mounted on driftwood base; standing, wings down, head lowered and cocked to right in "quizzical" expression; glass eyes, metal feet, painted and carved detail. Signed on base "Gillley". Underside of base marked: "This is one of a limited edition of only two of this model made, W.G. Common "Loon" by W.H. Gilley, 1973, property of Addie Gilley."
Description: Miniature; "swimming" duck, head turned forward and to right; glass eyes, adult plumage, painted detail. Signed "Gilley" and marked "Addie Gilley, Red-breasted Merganser (male)" on underside of base.
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: Life size male; mounted on driftwood branch attached to carved oblong wooden base, body tilted downward; glass eyes, metal legs, carved, burned and painted detail. Unsigned. Marked "Addie Gilley, 1978" on underside.