Chickadee by Wendell Gilley (1904-1983), Southwest Harbor, Maine, C. 1970. Signed "Gilley" on the side of the tree branch. Original paint with minor wear. Approx 7” tall. Incredible carving by a talented artist.

Wendell Gilley was a plumber from Southwest Harbor, Maine who spent his spare time carving decoys and other decorative carvings which he sold to the local summer trade. His works became extremely popular in the third quarter of the 20th century and of his many admirers were the Rockefeller family, who, after his death, were instrumental in the formation and development of a wonderful museum in Southwest Harbor commemorating Gilley and illustrating a great number of his works.