Guy Taplin (British, b. 1939), Sleeping Teal, carved and polychrome driftwood sculpture of a resting duck, red-brown with gold colored feather highlights. Taplin label on underside, also titled on underside. 4"H x 11"W x 5"D. Accompanied by a Taplin sales postcard picturing a similar teal. Provenance: acquired by the consignors directly from the artist while they were living in England 1983-1984. Biography: Self-taught artist Guy Taplin was born in London on the eve of WWII. A bird lover since childhood, he taught himself to create decorative decoy duck type figures out of driftwood using basic found materials. His work has received international recognition and examples are owned by the Royal Family and the Tate Museum. Condition: The sculpture has a thick shell-like layer of paint over wood which has been affected by overall expansion and contraction. There are cracks in the paint layer around the duck's neck, and to rear side. Shrinkage cracks to wood and paint layer at center back.