Interesting Skyward Looking Plover Shorebird Decoy attributed to Vanderwater, Freeport, Long Island, New York, circa Mid-19th century. The Decoy is Made with a Removable Head which is Doweled into a Full Solid Body. The Head appears to have been Nailed Down at the Time of Making and the nails have since rusted away. . The Bill is an Early Replacement. The Paint is Worn, with the White a very early Over Paint and the rest Appearing Original. The Paint Pattern is Very Basic, representing a Plover in Winter Plumage. The Shot Marks indicate early use with lead chips rather than factory pellets. A Rig Mate from the Collection of George Combs, Jr. sold in July, 2002, Guyette & Schmidt. The Decoy measures 9” in length, 3” in width, and 11” in height. Interesting Artifact of the Shorebird Hunting Era.

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Price $1095 plus shipping

Early Black-bellied Plover Decoy from Nantucket, Massachusetts, circa 1880 – 1910. This Hand Carved Decoy displays all the characteristics of an Early Working Bird. It has a Bold Body Form, probably shaped with a draw knife & finished with a spoke shave. The Head is chip carved with a pocket knife. The Bill may be Original and is doweled through the Head. The Decoy has Worn Original Paint, Strong in some places & worn to the wood in others, the latter likely a consequence of water damage. As a Working Decoy, the body also has some shot marks. Plover hunting on Nantucket was both a field activity as well as a shoreline shoot. Measurements: 10 ½” in length, 3” in width, and 11” in height, including the metal stand. A Prime Artifact from the Era of Shorebird Hunting.

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Price $950 plus shipping

Early Red Knot Shorebird Decoy by Eugene Cuffee (1866 – 1941), Shinnecock Reservation, Long Island, New York, circa 1890 – 1920. This particular shorebird reflects both the basic field marks of a Red Knot Shorebird and the Native American Paint Pattern associated with Eugene Cuffee’s historical work. Cuffee carved over a long period of time, creating everything from Large Curlews with Whale Bone Bills to Little Peep Decoys. Eventually a good deal of his work was obtained by antique dealers, probably associated with an Art Colony across from the reservation, who created bookends and lamps with his decoys to sell in New York City. This Red Knot Decoy displays an Antique Whale Bone Bill, a common material on the reservation as a consequence of Shinnecocks working on whaling ships out of Sag Harbor, Considerable Age with Strong Original Paint, Carved Eyes, and Cuffee’s Typical Raised Primaries. There is a small chip off one wing and “in the making” filler to a defect in the wood on one side (see photographs). The Paint Pattern on the decoy is very typical of Cuffee’s work, and the Solid Wood Body is one source of identification.  Measurements: 11” in length, 2 ½” in width, 11 ¼” in height, including the stand. A Wonderful Early Native American Shorebird Decoy from the Shinnecock Reservation.

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Price $2950 plus shipping

Early Black-bellied Plover Shorebird Decoy by an Unknown Maker from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, circa 1880s – 1900. This Fine Shorebird Decoy which has seen use in the field, displays Strong Original Paint with Wear to the Wood in some places. The Whiteish Paint appears to have been put on rather thinly with no primer; whereas, the Black Paint was placed much more heavily, though both areas show wear. The Decoy is Quite Full-bodied and rather heavy compared to the majority of Shorebirds. A reasonable guess suggests that the bird was made from Mahogany or Walnut, most likely Mahogany. The Decoy is nicely carved down to a Pointed Tail and Each Side of the Tail is Incised to Suggest Primary Wing Separation. The Bill was Dowelled into the Front Head and Held in Place with a Dowell through the Top of the Head. After the Bill was carved down, apparently chip carved, it was split in use and reattached. That Split has been professionally restored and retouched. The photographs should help clarify the description. Measurements: 11” in length, 3” in width, and 13 ½” in height, including the stand. A Fine Cape Cod Black-bellied Plover Decoy.

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Price $875 plus shipping