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Accession # Identifier Title Type Subject
  • 2024.02.08
1644Wildlife in wood
  • Publication, Book
  • Birds
  • Carvings
  • Other, Literature
Description:
Published : Chillicothe, Ill. : Model Technology. Inscribed by the author "To Wendell Gilley, with best wishes to one of the pioneers in this field. We have all benefited from your efforts."
  • 2024.02.09
1643How to make working decoys
  • Publication, Book
  • Birds
  • Carvings
  • Other, Literature
Description:
Published: New York : Winchester Press. Page 69 is signed by Frank C. Wilson, a Massachusetts decoy carver who is featured in the book. Wilson's work was for sale in the Wendell Gilley Museum shop.
  • 2024.01.07
1642Want to carve a duck? : a beginner's guide
  • Publication, Book
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Published: Southwest Harbor, Maine : Publisher's Northeast. Inscription to Nina Gormley by the author on title page.
  • 2023.10.23
1641A question of balance
  • Publication, Book
  • Animals
  • Birds
  • Events, Exhibitions
Description:
Published by Raymond F. Evans Sporting Art Gallery, Albany Museum of Art, Albany, Georgia
  • 23.10.202
1640The artist's Mount Desert : American painters on the Maine Coast
  • Publication, Book
  • People
  • Places, Island
Description:
Published by Princeton University Press, Princeton, N.J.
  • 23.10.20
1639The traveling artist : a visual journal
  • Publication, Book
  • People
Description:
Published by G Editions, New York
  • 2023.09.24
1638Game bird carving
  • Publication, Book
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Published: New York : Winchester Press. Inscription to Wendell Gilley by the author on half title page.
  • 23.08.02
1637Drawing nature
  • Publication, Book
  • Nature
  • Other, Literature
Description:
Published by North Light Books, Cincinnati, Ohio. Signed by the author and dated "23 September 2018"
  • 23.08.01
1636The Art of Dahlov Ipcar
  • Publication, Book
  • People
Description:
Published by Down East, c2010. Half title page signed by the artist. Title page signed by the author.
  • 2023.08.15
1635Beyond the spring : Cordelia Stanwood of Birdsacre.
  • Publication, Book
  • Birds
  • People
Description:
Published: Lamoine, Maine : Latona Press, 1978. Inscription to Wendell Gilley by the author on half title page.
  • 2023.08.02
1634Birds in wood and paint : American miniature bird carvings and their carvers, 1900-1970
  • Publication, Book
  • Birds
  • Carvings
  • People
Description:
Published: Lebanon, N.H. : University Press of New England, c2009. Inscription to Nina Gormley, Museum Director, by the author on half title page.
  • 20.01.017
1256Black Duck
  • Carving, Decoy
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Bottom inscribed "Black Duck by W.H. Gilley. Made for Robert Kurtz." Dated 4/18/67.
  • 81.1.102
1107Ruffed Grouse, Pair
  • Carving, Pair, 2/3 Life-size
  • Birds
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.
  • 81.1.151
1145Long-eared Owl, Pair
  • Carving, Pair, Life-size
  • Birds
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]
  • 20.01.113
1363Herring Gull
  • Carving
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Underside of carved wooden base marked: "Herring Gull by W. H. Gilley 1978"
  • 20.01.115
1366American Brant
  • Carving, Miniature
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Signed "by W.H. Gilley" on underside of base ; undated
  • 20.01.090
1335Green-winged Teal
  • Carving, Miniature
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Marked "G. Winged Teal" and signed "by W. H. Gilley" on underside of base
  • 96.2.7
1301Bald Eagle
  • Carving, Miniature
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Adult bald eagle, approximately one-sixth life-size, sitting upright on small driftwood knot ; lead feet with talons realistically gripping the base ; undercut wing tips crossed over carved tail ; Signed "Gilley" on left side of driftwood base; marked "Hilda, Hulda Bragdon, Xmas 1973" on underside of base
  • 81.1.90
1097Red-shouldered Hawk
  • Carving, 1/2 Life-size
  • Birds
Description:
Approx. 1/2 life size; mounted on driftwood piece attached to oblong carved wooden base, perched in hunting posture; glass eyes, metal feet, carved burned and painted detail. Marked, dated and signed "Red-shouldered Hawk, carved 1975, painted 1978, by W.H Gilley" on underside of base.
  • 81.3.9
1462Snowy Egret
  • Carving, Miniature
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Miniature adult on driftwood base stands erect, neck [?] back, head up, glass eyes, metal legs, feet, and crest feathers, painted details. Signed on lower right of base "Gilley."
  • 81.1.112
1117Willet
  • Carving, Life-size
  • Birds
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.
  • 81.1.167
1491Osprey with Mackerel
  • Carving, 1/3 Life-size
  • Birds
Description:
Approx. 1/3 life size; osprey on driftwood piece attached to oblong carved wooden base, wings upraised, head down, beak open; glass eyes, metal feet, carved, burned and painted detail. Marked "made for Addie Gilley, driftwood gift of Mrs. David Rockefeller, Osprey by Wendell Gilley, 1971" on underside of base. Separate companion Mackerel: glass eyes, carved and painted detail.
  • 81.1.153
1147Marbled Godwit, Pair
  • Carving, Pair, Almost Life-size
  • Birds
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.
  • 20.01.102
1347Canada Goose
  • Carving
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Signed "Gilley 82" on underside of base
  • 81.1.88
1095Robin, Male
  • Carving, Life-size
  • Birds
Description:
Life size; perched on green, oblong, wooden mound base, erect posture, facing forward; glass eyes, wire feet and legs, painted and burned detail. Marked, dated and signed "Robin, made for Addie Gilley, 1978, by W.H. Gilley" on underside of base.
  • 91.3.1
1312Great Blue Heron Pair
  • Carving, Pair, 1/3 Life-size
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Pair of adult herons on roughly "x" shaped driftwood mount. On lower right arm of the "x" a heron in hunting posture is loosely mounted. On upper arm of the x, another heron is depicted in a guarding posture. Twin metal-strip crest, glass eyes, metal feet and legs realistically painted. Signed "Gilley" on top side of sand-finished oblong base, lower right.
  • 20.01.120
1371Chickadee
  • Carving, Life-size
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Black-capped chickadee head down on branch. Artist's stamp on underside of carved oblong base
  • 89.3.18
1448Semipalmated Plover
  • Carving, Life-size
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Adult on small driftwood base ; body appears to be "bobbing" downward ; tail swept up, wing tips folded over ; glass eyes, wire legs and metal feet ; body covered overall with finely incised lines. Signed, dated and marked "Semipalmated Plover (Lifesize) by W.H. Gilley, 1975" on underside of base.
  • 89.3.20
1503Spotted sandpiper
  • Carving, Almost Life-size
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Adult standing on weathered driftwood base, right leg retracted, neck slightly outstretched, head erect and looking ahead, bill curved slightly downward ; glass eyes, wire legs and metal feet. Signed on top of base near left foot: "Gilley" in felt tip pen ; also on underside, "Spotted Sandpiper by W.H. Gilley, 1979"
  • 20.01.129
1463Canada Goose
  • Carving
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Signed "Gilley" on driftwood base beneath tail
  • 81.1.150
1144Ring-necked Pheasant
  • Carving, Almost Life-size
  • Birds
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 .
  • 20.01.020
1261Bald Eagle With Redhead Duck
  • Carving
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Signed "Gilley" on driftwood base. No date
  • 20.01.136
1470Pileated Woodpecker
  • Carving, Almost Life-size
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Underside of base marked "Made especially for Francis W. Rawle" and signed "by W.H. Gilley".
  • 20.01.031
1272Mallard Pair
  • Carving
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Signed "Gilley" on left side of driftwood base; no date
  • 81.1.109
1114Green Heron
  • Carving, 1/2 Life-size
  • Birds
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.
  • 81.1.145
1139Yellowlegs
  • Carving, Life-size
  • Birds
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.
  • 81.1.113
1118Double-crested Cormorant
  • Carving, 1/3 Life-size
  • Birds
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.
  • 99.3.1
1358Woodcock
  • Carving
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Inscribed "Made for Byron and Maureen Cheever" on underside of base ; signed "Gilley '72" on top of base.
  • 81.1.156
1150Woodcock
  • Carving, Life-size
  • Birds
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.
  • 81.1.116
1121Wood Duck, Male
  • Carving, Decoy, Life-size
  • Birds
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."
  • 20.01.139
1473Great Hornbill
  • Carving, 1/5 Life-size
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Carved at the request of Addie Gilley, who was inspired by an illustration in a book about birds of the world. Signed "Gilley" on bottom of driftwood branch. Underside of base marked "Native of India, Sumatra, Indo China".
  • 81.1.146
1140Atlantic Puffin
  • Carving, Pair, 3/4 Life-size
  • Birds
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.
  • 81.1.26 (81.1.27 on piece)
1025Bluebird
  • Carving, Life-size
  • Birds
Description:
Life size; horizontal stand, perched with one foot in crotch of twig, one up on branch, twig mounted in oblong mound, carved wooden base. Signed "Gilley '76" on lower right of base, underside marked: "Bluebird by Wendell Gilley, 1976, 7."
  • 81.1.64
1072Golden-Crowned Kinglet, Pair
  • Carving, Pair, Life-size
  • Birds
Description:
Life size; adult male and female perched on twig, facing opposite directions, attached to shaped fiber board base, male higher on twig, distinguished by orange in crown, female below; both with glass eyes, wire feet and legs, painted plumage detail, base brown with green. Signed "Gilley" on right of base. Marked and dated "Golden Crowned Kinglets, Addie Gilley, 1972" on underside of base.
  • 81.1.118
1123Belted Kingfisher, Male
  • Carving, Life-size
  • Birds
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.
  • 81.1.124
1129Herring Gull with Fish
  • Carving, Decoy, 1/2 Life-size
  • Birds
  • Carvings
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"
  • 81.1.84
1091Long-tailed Duck, Male
  • Carving, Life-size
  • Birds
Description:
Life size; swimming; flat bottom, tail up, head turned slightly left; glass eyes, carved and painted detail. Signed, dated and marked: "Oldsquaw (male) 1970, made for Addie Gilley by W.H. Gilley" on underside. Companion piece no. 81.1.85
  • 81.1.94
1101Loon with Two Chicks
  • Carving, Multiple Birds, Decoy
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Approx. 1/4 life size; three part composition: one swimming, flat-bottomed adult, two swimming, flat-bottomed chicks; adult's head turned slightly to left, with glass eyes and painted detail; chick a's head is erect, chick b's head is down, both have burned detail. Adult marked, dated, signed "Loon, made for Addie Gilley by W.H. Gilley, 1973" on underside. Chicks unmarked.
  • 81.1.74
1082Cormorant
  • Carving, 1/5 Life-size
  • Birds
Description:
Approx. 1/5 life size; mounted on driftwood base, standing on toes, wings outstretched; glass eyes, lead feet, painted and carved detailed. Signed "Gilley" on front of base. Marked "Made for Addie Gilley" on underside of base.
  • 81.1.52
1061Common Tern, Pair
  • Carving, Multiple Birds, 1/3 Life-size
  • Birds
Description:
Approx. 1/3 life size pair; mounted on driftwood base, male standing above female, wings raised, head pointing downward, beak partially open, female crouched below, wings folded, beak closed; both with glass eyes and lead feet, painted details. Signed on front of base, marked "C. Tern, Addie Gilley, 1966" on underside of base.
1545Saw-whet Owl
  • Carving
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Owl perched on U-shaped branch mounted on flat wooden base. "Gilly" faintly visible on base near bottom of branch. Inscribed "Saw Whet Owl made for Evelyn Foss" and stamped "Wendell H. Gilley" on underside of base. No date visible.
1586Common eider pair
  • Carving, Pair, Miniature
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Male eider perched on carved rock facing female. Female faces forward on the carved wooden base. Underside marked Northern eiders by W.H. Gilley, S.W. Harbor, Maine. No date.
  • 81.1.123
1128Clapper Rail
  • Carving, Life-size
  • Birds
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.
  • 81.1.41
1050Spoonbill
  • Carving, Miniature
  • Birds
Description:
Miniature; standing in upright-horizontal forward posture, beak pointing downward on curled driftwood base; carved and painted eyes, wire legs, painted plumage. Signed "Gilley" on right side of base, marked and dated "Addie Gilley, Feb 20 1968" on underside of base.
  • 81.1.91
1098Screech Owl (Gray Phase)
  • Carving, 3/4 Life-size
  • Birds
Description:
3/4 Life size; perched on driftwood piece attached to carved wooden base, head turned right, two toes of left foot exposed, three toes of right foot exposed, ear tufts laid back; glass eyes, metal toe nails, carved, burned and painted detail. Signed "Gilley '75" on left of base, marked "Screech Owl 3/4 life size, 1975, by W.H. Gilley, property of Addie Gilley" on underside of base. Gray phase.
  • 81.1.121
1126Brown Pelican
  • Carving, 1/4 Life-size
  • Birds
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."
  • 81.1.122
1127Brown Pelican
  • Carving, 1/4 Life-size
  • Birds
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.
  • 81.1.40
1049Pink Flamingo
  • Carving, Miniature
  • Birds
Description:
Miniature; standing with right foot on driftwood base, left leg half raised, neck curved downward; painted eyes and detail. Signed and dated "Gilley 1967" on right side of base. Marked "Addie Gilley" on underside.
  • 81.1.21
1018Great Gray Owl
  • Carving, 1/10 Life-size
  • Birds
Description:
1/10 life size; perched on driftwood piece attached to carved wooden base, owl's head turned over left shoulder; glass eyes, painted detail. Signed "Gilley," on top of stamp, marked "Addie Gilley," on underside of base.
  • 20.01.127
1460Snowy Owl, Male
  • Carving
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Owl looking over left shoulder, glass eyes, wire toes. Signed "Gilley" on rear of driftwood base. Underside of base stamped Wendell H. Gilley.
  • 81.1.70
1078Saw-whet Owl
  • Carving, Life-size
  • Birds
Description:
Life size; adult perched on driftwood piece set into shaped wooden base, body in profile with head turned over right shoulder to "front" of piece; glass eyes, wire toes, four first toes protruding, painted plumage detail. Signed "Gilley '75" on right front of base. Marked and dated "Addie Gilley, Saw-whet owl by W.H. Gilley, 1975" on underside of base, which also has artist stamp. Artist considered this his best saw-whet owl. [show more]
  • 81.1.43
1052Screech Owl (red phase)
  • Carving, 1/2 Life-size
  • Birds
Description:
Approx. 1/2 life size; perched on driftwood base, upright posture, head turned left, ear-tufts semi-erect, front toes exposed; glass eyes, painted plumage. Signed "Gilley" on lower left side of base. Marked "Screech Owl by W.H. Gilley, 1969, Addie Gilley" on underside of base. Made for Rob Kurtz - traded for gray
  • 81.1.72
1080Bobwhite Quail Hen with Six Chicks
  • Carving, Multiple Birds, Miniatures
  • Birds
Description:
Miniature adult and six young mounted on driftwood; a very animated piece: the hen looking down at the three chicks in front of her, the three others are exploring behind her; one chick is standing upright with tiny wings outstretched; adult has pinhead eyes; all birds have painted plumage detail, wire legs and feet. Signed "Gilley" on right rear of base. Marked and dated "Made by W.H. Gilley, Addie Gilley, Dec. 1960" on underside of base. [show more]
  • 81.1.37
1035Ruddy Turnstone
  • Carving, 1/4 Life-size
  • Birds
Description:
About 1/4 life size; mounted on natural wood base, erect posture facing forward; black pinhead eyes, wired legs and feet, painted detail. Signed "Gilley" on side of base, underside of base marked "Ruddy Turnstone, W.H. Gilley, Addie Gilley."
  • 81.1.81
1088American Goldeneye, Female
  • Carving, Miniature
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Miniature; swimming duck, neck down; painted detail. Unsigned. Companion to 81.1.79.
  • 81.1.79
1087American Goldeneye, Male
  • Carving, Miniature
  • Birds
Description:
Miniature; swimming drake, head turned slightly right; painted detail. Signed and dated "Gilley '72" on underside.
  • 81.1.83
1090Wild Turkey, Male
  • Carving, 1/5 Life-size
  • Birds
Description:
Approx. 1/5 life size; mounted on driftwood base, walking pose, left leg forward, attached by middle toe, right leg behind, attached by left toe; glass eyes, wire feet, carved and painted detail. Signed and dated "Gilley '74" on right side of base, marked "Wild Turkey by W.H. Gilley, 1974, Addie Gilley" on underside of base.
  • 81.1.76
1084Black Duck, Pair
  • Carving, Pair, 1/4 Life-size
  • Birds
Description:
Approx. 1/4 life size; pair mounted on driftwood base, lower duck has head turned around right shoulder, upper duck's head turned slightly left, neck withdrawn; both with glass eyes, painted detail, lead feet. Signed, dated, marked "Black duck for Addie Gilley by W.H. Gilley, 1974" on underside of base.
  • 81.1.82
1089Wild Turkey
  • Carving, 1/5 Life-size
  • Birds
Description:
Approx. 1/5 life size; mounted on driftwood base, standing erect on right foot, left foot raised; glass eyes, bristle "beard", metal legs and feet, painted and carved detail. Signed on base, underside of base dated 1974, marked "Addie, Wild Turkey."
  • 20.01.024
1265Black Capped Chickadee, Pair
  • Carving
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Base covered with moss
  • 81.1.18
1015Saw-whet Owl
  • Carving, 3/4 Life-size
  • Birds
Description:
3/4 life size; outstretched wings, alighting on driftwood limb mounted on carved oblong base, Phillips head screw in base, toes 3:1; glass eyes, carved and painted plumage detail. Signed: "Gilley '72" on lower right side of base. Underside marked: "Addie Gilley, xmas 1972."
  • 81.1.110
1115Canada Geese
  • Carving, Pair, 1/4 Life-size
  • Birds
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.
  • 81.1.161
1155Bobwhite
  • Carving, Multiple Birds, Life-size
  • Birds
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]
  • 81.1.22
1009Bluebird
  • Carving
  • Birds
Description:
Life size adult ; perched on twig, mounted on carved oblong base; glass eyes, metal legs and feet, upright posture, head turned slightly to left. Signed “Gilley ’76” on rear end of base. Some blue paint on base; underside marked “11;” Phillips head screw attaching base to twig.
  • 89.3.10
1474Northern Cardinal, Male
  • Carving, Almost Life-size
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Adult male perched facing downward on driftwood branch attached to carved oblong base. Glass eyes ; wire and metal legs and feet. Oval pine base gouged and stained ; underside of base covered in felt. No visible signature or date
  • 81.1.54
1065White-throated Sparrow
  • Carving, Life-size
  • Birds
Description:
Life size; mounted on driftwood base, head and tail erect; glass eyes, wire legs, painted detail. Signed, dated and marked "White-throated Sparrow by W.H. Gilley, 1974 for Addie Gilley" on underside of base.
  • 20.01.013
1252Goldfinch
  • Carving
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Underside of base marked: "Foss from Addie #4" ; no date
  • 20.01.126
1459Tit on a Vise
  • Carving
  • Birds
  • Carvings
  • 89.3.14
1467Red-winged Blackbird
  • Carving, Almost Life-size
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Adult male perched on branching twig on carved pine base ; wire legs and metal feet with talons grasping the branch ; glass eyes. Entire body covered with fine incised lines, deeper where suggesting primaries and tail feathers. Underside of base marked "Red-winged blackbird by W. H. Gilley 1977".
  • 2012.01.01
1325Northern Cardinal
  • Carving, Miniature
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Signed "Gilley" on underside of base ; no date
  • 84.3.2
1255Vesper Sparrow
  • Carving
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Signed "Gilley" on driftwood base. No date
  • 81.1.63
1071Black-capped Chickadee
  • Carving, Life-size
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Life size; clinging to twig in characteristic upside-down position, twig screwed to shaped wooden base; pinhead eyes, wire legs and feet, detail in color and relief; Signed "Gilley '73." Marked "Chickadee for Addie Gilley, 1973" on underside.
  • 89.3.16
1290Rose-breasted Grosbeak
  • Carving, Life-size
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Adult male, approximately life size, sitting on twig, head slightly cocked and turned left ; no visible legs, cut metal talons ; glass eyes. Signed in felt tip pen "by W. H. Gilley" and dated 1976 on underside of base; also faintly signed on top lower right of base
  • 81.1.111
1116Black Duck
  • Carving, 1/3 Life-size
  • Birds
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."
  • 84.3.1
1282White-winged Crossbill Pair
  • Carving, Pair
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Signed "Gilley" on front of driftwood base. No date
  • 20.01.141
1534Downy Woodpecker on Birch
  • Carving, Life-size
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Downy woodpecker perched on birch "tree" mounted on carved oblong wooden base. Signed "Gilley" on bottom of birch ; no date
1532King Eider
  • Carving
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
King Eider on post ; painted sheet metal feet ; "Gilley" signature and date engraved on bottom of bird ; bird detaches from post
  • 20.01.140
1531Ruffed Grouse
  • Carving
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
"Made for Len and Dianne with love" inscribed on underside of base
  • 81.1.99
1105Evening Grosbeak, Male
  • Carving, Life-size
  • Birds
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.
  • 89.3.13
1322Evening Grosbeak, Male
  • Carving, 3/4 Life-size
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Adult male on gnarled driftwood root; glass eyes, wire legs and cut metal feet. Signed "Gilley '78" on oblong pine base ; underside of base marked "Evening Grosbeak #33"
  • 93.1.1
1285Pine Grosbeak, Female
  • Carving, Life-size
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Signed "Gilley" on driftwood base below bird's left wing. Gilley's stamp on bottom of base
  • 91.01.21
1398Red-breasted Merganser, Female
  • Carving, Miniature
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Has black A.E. Crowell & Son label on underside of base. Label marked "Fe. Shelldrake"
  • 91.01.20
1399Red-breasted Merganser, Male
  • Carving, Miniature
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Has black A.E. Crowell & Son label on underside of base. Label marked "Shelldrake"
  • 20.01.138
1472Common Eider, Male
  • Carving, Decoy
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
One of five eiders Wendell Gilley wanted to make for the museum at the end of his life. He was able to complete three. "Gilley" engraved on undersides of body and head.
  • 81.1.68
1076Woodcock
  • Carving, Life-size
  • Birds
Description:
Life size; adult on driftwood base, semi upright, beak pointed downward; glass eyes, painted detail, wire legs and feet. Unsigned, undated.
  • 81.1.53
1062Tree Sparrow
  • Carving, 2/3 Life-size
  • Birds
Description:
Approx. 2/3 life size; semi-erect posture, facing forward, tail horizontal; glass eyes, wire legs set in smooth mound base, painted feet. Signed and marked "Addie Gilley, Tree Sparrow by W.H Gilley" on underside of base.
1567Cormorant
  • Carving
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Neck extended and head turned to the right. Glass eyes, metal legs and feet. Driftwood base, no visible signature or date
  • 81.1.158
1152Osprey
  • Carving, Almost Life-size
  • Birds
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.
  • 81.1.59
1067Red-breasted Merganser, Male
  • Carving, Miniature
  • Birds
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.
  • 81.1.12
1010Black Duck
  • Carving, Miniature
  • Birds
Description:
Miniature adult ; mounted on drift wood base; painted plumage, glass eyes, carved feet. Signed "Gilley" below right foot; stamped "Wendell H. Gilley" on underside, marked "Addie Gilley."
  • 81.1.28
1026Ruffed Grouse, Male
  • Carving, Miniature
  • Birds
Description:
Miniature; mounted on natural wooden base, upright posture, tail fanned open horizontally; glass eyes, carved feet, highly detailed painted plumage. Signed "Gilley" on right rear of base, Underside of base marked: "Addie Gilley, Ruffed Grouse by W.H. Gilley, 1966."
  • 20.01.091
1336Blue-winged Teal
  • Carving, Miniature
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Signed "by W.H. Gillely" on underside of base
  • 81.1.96
1103Common Loon
  • Carving, 1/3 Life-size
  • Birds
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."
  • 81.1.32
1030Canada Goose
  • Carving, Miniature
  • Birds
Description:
Miniature; 3-D feet, mounted on round, smooth wooden base, erect posture, faces forward; pinhead eyes, painted detail. Underside signed, dated, marked: "Gilley, '59. Addie Gilley."
1633Connect to nature, creativity at Wendell Gilley Museum[ magazine article]
  • Publication, Periodical
  • Birds
  • Carvings
  • People
Description:
From the 2018 Premier Edition of Cultural adventures : Acadia and Downeast Maine. Gives background information about Wendell Gilley and describes carving classes offered by the Wendell Gilley Museum. Features photos of a great horned owl carved by Wendell Gilley as well as sandpipers carved by students in the museum's carving classes.
1631Woodcraft catalog
  • Publication, Catalog
  • People
Description:
Cover and page 16 of Woodcraft catalog 73-74 showing Wendell Gilley in his workshop
1632Good things from Maine : fine feathers[ magazine article]
  • Publication, Periodical
  • Birds
  • Carvings
  • People
Description:
From the July 2021 issue of Down East Magazine. Describes the history and current day programming of the Wendell Gilley Museum. Resident artist Steve Valleau is featured.
1630Downeast Bird Carvings by Wendell Gilley exhibit opening invitation
  • Document, Correspondence
  • Events
Description:
Invitation to a black tie dinner celebrating the opening of the exhibit Downeast Bird Carvings by Wendell Gilley at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, Pa. On the back page is a handwritten note from Barbara Tyson to Wendell.
  • 22.04.24
1629Bird-life : a guide to the study of our common birds
  • Publication, Book
  • Birds
Description:
By Frank M. Chapman with seventy-five full-page colored plates after drawings by Ernest Thompson Seton. Published by D. Appleton.
  • 22.04.23
1628Handbook of birds of eastern North America : with introductory chapters on the study of birds in nature
  • Publication, Book
  • Birds
Description:
By Frank M. Chapman, with full-page plates in colors and black and white by Louis Agassiz Fuertes. Revised edition. Published by D. Appleton and Co. Maps on end papers.
  • 22.04.22
1627Audubon water bird guide : water, game and large land birds : eastern and central North America from southern Texas to central Greenland
  • Publication, Book
  • Birds
Description:
By Richard H. Pough, color illustrations by Don Eckelberry, line drawings by Earl L. Poole. Maps on end papers. Sponsored by the National Audubon Society. Published by Doubleday & Co. First edition.
  • 22.04.21
1626Wood carving : with suggestions in chip carving : designed as an elementary course of instruction and to meet the requirements of technical classes in connection with the Board of Education.
  • Publication, Book
  • Carvings
Description:
By Thomas C. Simmonds with numerous illustrations by the author, published by George Allen & Unwin, 1892, reprinted 1924.
  • 22.04.19
1625Menaboni's birds
  • Publication, Book
  • Birds
Description:
By Athos and Sara Menaboni, published by Rinehart & Co.
  • 2022.02.01
1601Waterfowl of North America
  • Publication, Book
  • Birds
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.
  • 89.3.8
1297Bufflehead
  • Carving, 1/3 Life-size
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Male bufflehead in adult plumage, swimming position ; head withdrawn and turned slightly to the left ; glass eyes, matte black, white, greys with minimal body detail ; blending of red/orange on head behind white wedge. Underside signed in pyrographic scratching "W.H.G." "Gilley" branded in script. Also written in felt-tip pen " '82 Buffle-Head".
  • 20.01.054
1296Bufflehead
  • Carving
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Stamped "Gilley" and dated on underside.
  • 22.03.01
1602Saw-whet Owl
  • Carving
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Saw-whet owl looking to the side, perched on driftwood branch. Underside of driftwood inscribed Saw Whet Owl by W.H. Gilley 1969. Signed "Gilley" on lower part of driftwood near owl's tail.
  • 22.03.02
1603Saw-whet Owl
  • Carving, 1/2 Life-size
  • Birds
  • Carvings
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.
  • 22.03.04
1605Quail
  • Carving
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Quail standing on mound shaped wooden base, one leg lifted. Very faded signature on underside of base. No date visible.
  • 22.03.03
1604Great Blue Heron
  • Carving
  • Birds
  • Carvings
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",
  • 22.04.20
1624Portraits of New England birds.
  • Publication, Book
  • Birds
Description:
Drawn in color by Louis Agassiz Fuertes and Allan Brooks for "Birds of Massachusetts and other New England states" by Edward Howe Forbush. Published by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
  • 22.04.18
1623Birds of America.
  • Publication, Book
  • Birds
Description:
Editor-in-Chief, T. Gilbert Pearson, consulting editor, John Burroughs. Published by The University Society, Inc. Nature Lovers Library, volume 3.
  • 22.04.17
1622The warblers of America : a popular account of the wood warblers as they occur in the Western Hemisphere.
  • Publication, Book
  • Birds
Description:
By Ludlow Griscom, Alexander Sprunt, Jr. and other ornithologists of note. Illustrated by John Henry Dick. Published by The Devin-Adair Co.
  • 22.04.16
1621Birds that hunt and are hunted : life histories of one hundred and seventy birds of prey, game birds and water-fowls.
  • Publication, Book
  • Birds
Description:
Published by Grosset & Dunlap. Signed by the author.
  • 22.04.15
1620Art of the decoy : American bird carvings.
  • Publication, Book
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Drawings by Lou Schifferl. Published by Bramhall House. Signed by the author.
  • 22.04.14
1619American water and game birds.
  • Publication, Book
  • Birds
Description:
Silhouettes by Ugo Mochi. Photographs by Allan D. Cruikshank and others. Prepared in cooperation with the Chicago Natural History Museum. Published by E. P. Dutton & Co. Flyleaf inscribed : "To Wendell Gilley - May this book help a bit to inspire you to still more perfection in your art - Friend Billy B., 1956".
  • 22.04.13
1618The art of wood carving.
  • Publication, Book
  • Carvings
Description:
Published by D. Van Nostrand Co., Inc.
  • 22.04.12
1617Birds : a demonstration in color reproduction from The Lakeside Press, R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company, reprinted from Compton's Pictured Encyclopedia, by permission.
  • Publication, Book
  • Birds
Description:
Front cover signed "W. H. Gilley, S.W. Harbor, Maine".
  • 22.04.11
1616Fåglar i naturen
  • Publication, Book
  • Birds
Description:
Published in Stockholm by Wahlstrom & Widstrand. In Swedish. Flyleaf inscribed " To my friend Wendell Gilley, Scott".
  • 22.04.10
1615Wood carving.
  • Publication, Book
  • Carvings
Description:
Illustrated by Constance Morton. Published by Bonanza Books.
  • 22.04.09
1614A book of ducks.
  • Publication, Book
  • Birds
Description:
Published by Penguin Books. Plates by Peter Shepheard. On cover: "A King Penguin Book." Endpaper signed "Wendell Gilley."
  • 22.04.08
1613Feathered pets : a treatise on the food, breeding and care of canaries, parrots and other cage birds.
  • Publication, Book
  • Birds
Description:
25th edition. Published by the author.
  • 22.04.07
1612Rex Brasher's Birds & trees of North America. Volume one.
  • Publication, Book
  • Birds
Description:
Published by Rowman and Littlefield
  • 22.04.06
1611Brief bird biographies : a guide to birds through habitat associations.
  • Publication, Book
  • Birds
Description:
Published by Grosset & Dunlap
  • 22.04.05
1610Bird neighbors : an introductory acquaintance with one hundred and fifty birds commonly found in the gardens, meadows, and woods about our homes.
  • Publication, Book
  • Birds
Description:
With an introduction by John Burroughs, Published by Doubleday, Page & Co.
  • 22.04.04
1609The Quails.
  • Publication, Book
  • Birds
Description:
Illustrated by Francis Lee Jaques. Published by MacMillan.
  • 22.04.03
1608Birds of America
  • Publication, Book
  • Birds
Description:
Editor-in-Chief, T. Gilbert Pearson, consulting editor, John Burroughs. With 106 plates in full color by Louis Agassiz Fuertes. Published by Garden City Books.
  • 22.04.02
1607Pheasants, their lives and homes.
  • Publication, Book
  • Birds
Description:
Published under the auspices of the New York Zoological Society by Doubleday, Doran & Co., Inc.
  • 22.04.01
1606Nests and eggs of the birds of the United States
  • Publication, Book
  • Birds
Description:
Published by J. A. Wagenseller
  • 2022.01.01
1600Chickadee Pair
  • Carving, Pair
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
One chickadee hanging upside down near top of branch above second chickadee perched on lower part of branch. Branch attached to carved oval wooden base. Underside of base inscribed "Chickadees by Wendell Gilley S.W. Harbor, Maine. No date visible.
1597Wendell Gilley Hunting Waterfowl
  • Image, Photograph
  • People
  • Recreation, Hunting
Description:
Wendell Gilley crouched in blind with gun
1598Carved Wooden Molds
  • Image, Photograph
  • Carvings
  • Object, Metalworking, Casting Mold
Description:
Various wooden molds Wendell Gilley carved for use in making cast lead feet
1599Heron Patterns
  • Image, Photograph
  • Birds
  • Carvings
  • Woodworking Pattern
Description:
Various paper patterns drawn by Wendell Gilley for use in carving herons
1596Wendell Gilley Carving a Pheasant
  • Image, Photograph
  • Birds
  • Carvings
  • People
Description:
Wendell Gillley seated at his workbench carving what appears to be a miniature pheasant. Pieces of driftwood are on table behind him
1595Wendell Gilley at his Workbench
  • Image, Photograph
  • People
Description:
Wendell Gilley in checked shirt with pipe seated at his workbench
1593Wendell H. Gilley
  • Image, Photograph
  • Carvings
  • People
Description:
Wendell Gilley working on a wood carving. At his collar he is wearing a pin shaped like a duck.
1592Wendell H. Gilley Painting a Cardinal
  • Image, Photograph
  • Birds
  • Carvings
  • People
Description:
Wendell Gilley at his work table painting a carving of a cardinal, bookshelves in background
1590David and Nelson Rockefeller
  • Image, Photograph
  • Birds
  • Carvings
  • People
Description:
David and Nelson Rockefeller holding the bald eagle David commissioned from Wendell Gilley as a gift for Nelson.
1199Letter to Mrs. Otis D. Wolfe from Steven C. Rockefeller
  • Document, Correspondence
  • Object, Art
  • People
Description:
Letter to the donor of a bronze sculpture by Walther Matia in memory of Foster Whitlock . The letter thanks her for her donation of the sculpture to the museum and describes the dedication ceremony.
1217Benefit Art Auction and Appraisal Day flyer
  • Document, Advertising, Brochure
  • Events, Auction
  • Object, Art
Description:
Flyer advertising the Wendell Gilley Museum Benefit Art Auction and Appraisal Day, Aug. 10, 1990. Auctioned items included a framed set of prints, "20 Birds of Mount Desert Island" by Carroll Sargent Tyson.
1594Wendell Gilley in his Workshop
  • Image, Photograph
  • Birds
  • Carvings
  • People
Description:
Wendell uses a barber's chair he converted into a workbench to hold an eagle carving while he works on it.
1003Wendell Holmes Gilley
  • Image, Photograph
  • People
Description:
Gilley smokes a pipe while carving an Osprey in his Southwest Harbor, Maine workshop
1591Wooden National Wood Carvers' Association Name Badge
  • Object, Identification Badge
  • People
Description:
Wendell Gilley's National Wood Carvers' Association Name Badge labelled "N.W.C.A. Director Wendell H. Gilley, 179-1, S. West Harbor, Me."
1589Wendell Gilley's Maine Master Plumber License
  • Document, Permission, License, Occupational License
  • Businesses, Service Business
  • People
Description:
Original master plumber license issued by the State of Maine to Wendell Gilley, owner of Gilley Plumbing Company, in 1944
  • 81.1.71
1079Yellowlegs
  • Carving, Decoy, Life-size
  • Birds
Description:
Life size; working/decorative decoy - disassembles into four pieces: beak, head, body and leg/base - body hollow, hinged on bottom, closes on back with hasp, head and beak can be enclosed in body; glass eyes, painted detail, single dowel leg set in driftwood base. Signed "Gilley '69" on rear of base. Marked "Only two made, property of Addie Gilley" on underside of base. A copy of a decoy pattern, one of two ever made by W.H. Gilley. [show more]
  • 84.1.2
1289Yellowlegs
  • Carving, Life-size
  • Birds
Description:
Life size; adult on driftwood base, standing with right foot raised. Underside of base marked "Yellowlegs 1972"
1168Black Capped Chickadee, Pair
  • Carving, Pair, Almost Life-size
  • Birds
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.
  • 91.01.09
1382Wood Duck
  • Carving, Miniature
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Has black A.E. Crowell & Son label on underside of base
  • 91.01.01
1390Whimbrel
  • Carving, Miniature
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Has stamp "A. E. Crowell, East Harwich" on underside of base.
  • 91.01.31
1402Black Duck
  • Carving, Miniature
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Has black A.E. Crowell & Son label on underside of base.
  • 91.01.23
1386Barrow's Goldeneye, Drake
  • Carving, Miniature
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Has black A.E. Crowell & Son label on underside of base
  • 91.01.13
1407Redhead
  • Carving, Miniature
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Has black A.E. Crowell & Son label on underside of base.
  • 81.1.51
1060Pintail, Pair
  • Carving, Multiple Birds, Miniatures
  • Birds
Description:
Miniatures; pair standing side by side, female to the right, male to the left on driftwood base; glass eyes, lead feet, painted feather detail. Signed "Gilley" and marked "Made for Addie Gilley" on underside of base.
  • 81.2.2
1167Semipalmated Plover
  • Carving, Miniature
  • Birds
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.
  • 81.1.34
1032American Goldeneye
  • Carving, Miniature
  • Birds
Description:
Miniature male ; mounted on oblong smooth wood base, upright posture facing forward; glass eyes, metal legs and feet. Signed on side of base: "Gilley." Underside of base marked: "Addie Gilley, Am. Goldeneye."
  • 81.1.58
1257Yellowlegs
  • Carving, Miniature
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Miniature adult; glass eyes, wire legs set into smooth round base with painted feet; body horizontal, head semi-erect, facing forward; underside of base marked/signed "Addie Gilley, by W. H. Gilley." Elmer Crowell copy
  • 20.01.002
1234Redhead drake
  • Carving, Miniature
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Signed "by W.H. Gilley" on bottom of base. Undated.
  • 81.1.48
1057Canvasback Drake
  • Carving, Miniature
  • Birds
Description:
Miniature; mounted on grey mound base, hunched over, beak pointing to ground; painted eyes and feet, wire legs set into base. Marked "Copy of bird made by A.C. Crowell" and "Addie Gilley" on underside of base.
  • 89.3.4
1501Roadrunner
  • Carving, Miniature
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Adult male roadrunner in a typical "striding" position, head outstretched with slightly dropped wings. Minimal carved detail, more developed painted detail. Glass eyes, wire legs, metal feet. Mounted on oval pine base, gouge-carved and painted. Marked on underside of base in ballpoint pen: "Road Runner"; signed "Gilley" on lower edge of top of base. No date
  • 81.1.149
1143Long Billed Curlew
  • Carving, Life-size
  • Birds
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.
  • 81.1.164
1158Barn Owl
  • Carving, Life-size
  • Birds
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.
  • 81.1.30
1028Woodcock Pair with Two Chicks
  • Carving, Multiple Birds, Miniatures
  • Birds
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."
  • 81.1.147
1141Wood Duck, Group
  • Carving, Multiple Birds, 1/4 Life-size
  • Birds
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.
  • 81.1.19
1016Herring Gull, Pair
  • Carving, Pair, 1/4 Life-size
  • Birds
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.
  • 81.1.138
1134Common Tern, Pair
  • Carving, Pair, Life-size
  • Birds
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.
  • 81.1.139
1135Rudy Turnstone, Pair
  • Carving, Pair, Life-size
  • Birds
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.
  • 81.7.1
1469Belted Kingfishers, Pair
  • Carving, Pair
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Underside of base marked "Belted Kingfishers by Wendell Gilley 1977. Also stamped "W.H. Gilley"
  • 81.1.1
1036Mallard Drake
  • Carving, Miniature
  • Birds
Description:
Miniature; head and body one piece, wire legs set into round, black base, feet painted, semi-detailed. Marked on underside of base: "Mallard, W.H. Gilley, First Bird, Made 1930, Addie Gilley." First bird carving by Wendell H. Gilley.
  • 81.1.143
1138Bobwhite Quail, Pair
  • Carving, Pair, Life-size
  • Birds
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.
  • 95.1.1
1504Yellow-shafted Flicker
  • Carving, Life-size
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
One of sixty-one carvings exhibited in a major museum retrospective "Downeast Bird Carvings by Wendell Gilley" at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia in 1976/77. Adult male northern flicker in a feeding position on driftwood mount ; glass eyes, cast lead feet with curved talons "gripping" the curves of the driftwood ; signed "Gilley" in black ink on lower left of the upper surface of the mount ; additionally signed on the flat underside of the base in three separate areas: "Yellow-shafted Flicker" and "By W.H. Gilley 1969" and "Made especially for Dr. & Mrs. J.L. Hollander." [show more]
  • 81.1.75
1083Ring-necked Pheasant, Male
  • Carving, 1/3 Life-size
  • Birds
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.
  • 81.1.148
1142Screech Owl
  • Carving, Life-size
  • Birds
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.
  • 81.1.144
1186Sparrowhawk or Kestrel
  • Carving, Life-size
  • Birds
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.
  • 20.01.065
1307Black Duck, Male
  • Carving
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Male, preening ; signed "Gilley" on rear of base ; stamped "Wendell H. Gilley" on underside of base
  • 89.3.9
1466Blue Jay with Acorn
  • Carving, 3/4 Life-size
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Blue jay with real acorn in its beak perched on driftwood branch on oval base ; wire and metal legs and feet ; glass eyes ; signed "Gilley" on front of base ; no date
  • 96.2.6
1249Goldfinch
  • Carving, Miniature
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Adult male goldfinch in summer plumage sitting on real branch ; "Gilley" signature on front topside of base almost completely faded ; additionally underside bears jackknife rubber stamp Gilley mark ; underside of base marked "Wedding gift to Joe + Anne Bragdon from Wendell H. Gilley + Addie" ; dated Oct, 4, 1981.
  • 81.1.31
1029Pileated Woodpecker
  • Carving, 1/4 Life-size
  • Birds
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."
  • 81.1.93
1100Loon with Chick and Egg
  • Carving, Multiple Birds, Varying Sizes
  • Birds
Description:
Common loon adult standing over nest with attached egg and unattached chick, head bent down, beak touching unhatched egg on oblong wooden base covered with sand and nesting material; adult loon has glass eyes, carved and painted detail, metal feet; egg painted; chick one-piece, beak open, flat bottom, pinhead eyes, painted detail. Marked, dated and signed "Made for Addie Gilley, 1964, Common Loon by Wendell Gilley" on underside of base.
1002Gilley - Wendell Holmes Gilley (1904-1983)
  • Reference
  • People
Description:
Wendell Gilley is a name well known among carvers and carving collectors. Author of The Art of Bird Carving: A Guide to a Fascinating Hobby, one of the earliest instructional books on the subject, Gilley was a pioneer in the field of decorative bird carving. By his estimate, he created “ten thousand birds of pine and paint” between 1931 and 1983. (Gilley also loved alliteration; it should be noted that most of his carvings were made of basswood.) [show more]
1005Bragdon - Addie (Bragdon) Gilley (1905-1983)
  • Reference
  • People
Description:
Addie Gilley’s created an outstanding collection of her husband’s work. The carvings that Addie so wisely saved over the years became the core of the Museum’s permanent collection. Wendell and Addie were the guests of honor at the opening of the Gilley Museum on July 12, 1981. They remained active in the museum until their deaths a few months apart in 1983.
1584Patterns by Wendell Gilley
  • Image, Art, Drawing
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Loose-leaf binder containing photocopies of bird carving patterns drawn by Wendell Gilley. Index of patterns in front pocket of binder.
1419Willet
  • Image, Photograph
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Photograph of willet carved by Wendell Gilley. Stamped "Anchor Light Studio, W.H. Ballard, Southwest Harbor, Maine" on back ; numbered "#40"
1420Gulls
  • Image, Photograph
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Photograph of an interior showing gull carvings, including a mobile, by Wendell Gilley. Stamped "Anchor Light Studio, W.H. Ballard, Southwest Harbor, Maine" on back.
1421Herring Gull on Buoy
  • Image, Photograph
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Photograph of a herring gull carved by Wendell Gilley. The gull is perched on a buoy with the number 7 painted on it. Behind the gull is a painted scene of water and rocks. Stamped "W.H. Ballard, Photographer, S. W. Harbor, Me" on back.
1424Group of four ducks and a Canada goose
  • Image, Photograph
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Photograph of five birds carved by Wendell Gilley. Clockwise from left: black duck, Canada goose, canvasback, harlequin duck, and common eider. Stamped "W.H. Ballard, Photographer, S. W. Harbor, Me" on back. Numbered "#28" in pencil above stamp.
1425Pileated Woodpecker
  • Image, Photograph
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Photograph of a carving by Wendell Gilley of a pileated woodpecker perched on driftwood
1428Bobwhite
  • Image, Photograph
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Single bobwhite quail carved by Wendell Gilley that is part of group shown mounted over a fireplace in another photograph.
1426Yellowlegs
  • Image, Photograph
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Photograph of a carving of a yellowlegs by Wendell Gilley.
1427Bobwhite
  • Image, Photograph
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Photograph of an interior showing a grouping of bobwhite quail carved by Wendell Gilley mounted over a fireplace .
1429Bobwhite
  • Image, Photograph
  • Birds
  • Carvings
Description:
Partial view of a group of bobwhite quail carved by Wendell Gillley shown mounted over a fireplace in another photograph.