Harry
Seymour was one of the first master carvers from New York State.
Born and reared in Bemus Point on the shores of Lake Chautauqua in the
mid-19th Century,
Seymour earned his living as a general handyman. Descended
from English and Dutch roots, Seymour's fish decoys defined the output
of the New York school; solid, utilitarian,
blocky in form and somewhat
dull in coloration.
Harry
Seymour /Trout Decoy
Carved, painted wood with attached metal
fins and leather tail
Length 7", circa 1890
Seymour's work is nonetheless memorable
for it's instinctive handling of shapes and
his keen eye for painted
texture. A hallmark of Seymour's which has been widely copied
is the
bright red paint he frequently applied to the gill slits of his fish
decoys.
Harry
Seymour / Green
Sunfish Decoy
Carved, painted wood with leather tail, metal pectoral fins and copper
tack eyes.
Length 6.75", circa 1890
While
perhaps not the equal of the lyrical masterpieces of the Great Lakes
Master carvers,
Seymour's fish decoy carvings are highly sought after
for their naive charm.
Seymour decoys are extremely valuable and one
example at a Sotheby's auction
fetched over $11,000.
Harry
Seymour / Perch
Decoy
Carved, painted wood with attached metal fins and leather tail
Length 6.5", circa 1895.
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