An Excellent Example of a New England Lesser Yellowlegs Shorebird Decoy in a Somewhat Flat-sided Form by an Unknown Maker, probably Northern Massachusetts or New Hampshire, circa 1910. This Rare Shorebird displays Strong Original Paint, Tiny Shoe Button Eyes, and the Original Wooden Bill, all with Some In-Use Wear. The Construction is interesting in that the Decoy is Made in Two Vertical Parts with the Sides Apparently Glued Together because there are no signs of dowels or pins. The Decoy measures 9 ½” from the Tip of the Bill to the Tip of the Tail, 1 ¾” in width, and 9 ½” high, including the stand. A Fine Example of a Lesser Yellowlegs Decoy in Strong Original Paint.

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Price $650 plus shipping

Classic Black-bellied Plover Shorebird Decoy in Transitional (Winter) Plumage by Samuel Shute, Cape May Court House, New Jersey, circa 1870s – 1890s. There were at least two rigs of shorebirds attributed to the Shute family and there are rig mates shown on pg. 183 of Jim Doherty’s Classic New Jersey Decoys. This Shorebird Decoy displays a Distinct Plover Head, Raised Wing Carving and Strong Original Paint. The Bill is Original and is Dowelled to the Back of the Head. The Paint accents the Wing carving and the Body was apparently Finished with a Rasp. Condition is Very Good with Some Minor Wear from Use and Age. The Stick Hole is rather large and a small cork has been inserted to hold the metal stand. Measurements: 10” in length, 2 ¼” in width, and 11 ½” in height, including the stand. An Early Black-bellied Plover Shorebird Decoy from the New Jersey Coast.

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Price $1350 plus shipping

Early Golden Plover Shorebird Decoy from the Eastern Shore of Virginia, circa 1900. This Terrific Golden Plover at first appears to be a Hand Carved Black-bellied Plover in a Worn Original Paint. A Closer Inspection of Feather Coloring – splotches of Black and Yellow – on the Back and the Enhanced White Brow suggest that the Maker was creating a Golden Plover Decoy. While a Somewhat Primitive Hand Craved Decoy, the Maker Carefully Delineated the Raised Primaries, Crossed Wing Tips and Split Tail Feather Pattern. The carving, in turn, displays a Characteristic Form for Plover from the Region. Much of the Paint has Worn with Use and Age; yet it’s also clear that the Paint Work was Limited to Begin With. The Bill is a Replacement and there is touch up to that area. It appears that there was some type of iron carrying attachment which is now gone leaving two inserts under the tail and an early collector’s item number on bottom. The Decoy measures 8 ½” in length, 2” in width, 11 ¼” in height, including the stand. A Terrific Shorebird Decoy and a Definite Symbol of Early American Functional Folk Art.

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Price $875 plus shipping

Early Golden Plover Shorebird Decoy from the South Shore of Massachusetts, circa 1910. This is a Classic Turn-of-the-Century shorebird decoy carved from a 2” thick piece of lumber and carefully crafted to represent a Plover on the Flats. The Rounded Head, Pronounced Breast, and Split Tail Form all reflect the basic elements of Massachusetts decoys.  In addition, the larger Tack Eyes display the further use of commercial materials of the early 20^th century. Especially important is the Original Paint which provides the Field Marks of a Winter Plover, Carefully Detailed by the maker. The Condition exhibits the Use of this Plover Decoy in the Field: the paint is Evenly Worn, there are a few Minor Shot Marks, the Tack Eyes have rusted and their expansion has caused Splits to the Head, and the Bill has been Replaced with a small nail securing the dowel. The Decoy has become an Artifact of the Shorebird Hunting Era. It measures 10 ½” in length, 2” in width, and 12” in height, including the metal stand. A Nice Example of Massachusetts Shorebird Decoys.

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Price $985 plus shipping