(Maryland/Pennsylvania, 1927-2016)

Great Horned Owl, unsigned, finely carved, burnt and painted wood, leaves, on naturalistic base, wood plinth, 29-1/2 x 19 in. [Naturalist]

Note: Ernie Muehlmatt won the Ward World Championship Carving Competition three times during the 1970s. His carvings rarely come to auction. Peter Tillou likely recognized Muehlmatt as a master carver and invested in this powerful piece along with others.

Provenance: Wild Wings Decoy Den, Fort Myers, Florida, purchased in 1986 for $17,000 (accompanied by the original receipt); The Estate of Peter H. Tillou, Litchfield, Connecticut

some rhododendron leaves reglued, one off but present, small losses to prey's feathers on proper right wing