1977 Signed Carved Wood Trout Wall Sculpture, Attributed to Terry Hague

Details

Description

A distinctive example of vintage sporting art, this hand-carved and painted wood trout brings sculptural detail and country-house character to … Read more A distinctive example of vintage sporting art, this hand-carved and painted wood trout brings sculptural detail and country-house character to a library, study, or fishing retreat. Signed “T. Hague” and dated 1977, the piece is attributed to American wildlife artist Terry D. Hague (1935–2015).

Hague owned Ramapaugh Mountain Studios in Ray Brook, New York, and sold his wildlife art through Orvis and Wild Wings. An avid hunter and fisherman, his artistic interests align with the naturalistic sporting subject. Additional trout carvings documented in auction catalogs bear the name “T. Hague” and dates of 1984 and 1987, providing supporting context for the attribution.

The dimensional fish features individually incised scales, finely grooved fins, a sculpted gill plate, and an expressive open mouth. Olive and blue-green tones transition into a golden cream belly, punctuated by red and dark spots with pale halos characteristic of brown trout. The warm wood backing complements the painted surface and bears the incised signature and date.

Rooted in the tradition of carved wooden fish displays, this piece offers the individual character of artisan sporting décor. Its 21-inch width and shallow profile make it easy to incorporate above a writing desk, alongside antique angling prints, or within a layered bookcase arrangement.

Especially compelling in Ralph Lauren–inspired interiors, it pairs beautifully with aged leather, mahogany furniture, wool tartan, and brass accents.

Provenance
Acquired from an estate collection and cataloged at purchase as “Artist Signed T. Hague 1977 Hand Carved And Painted 3D Wood Wall Mount Trout Display Art.” The signature and date are present on the piece. The full-name attribution to Terry D. Hague is supported by the artist’s documented wildlife-art career and comparative signed trout carvings.

Dimensions: 21ʺ W × 1ʺ D × 10ʺ H
Artist: Attributed to Terry D. Hague
Period: 1970s See less