Verity Family Black Bellied Plover
Obediah Verity (1813-1901) Seaford, Long Island, NY, c. 1860
The catalog record
Obediah Verity (1813-1901) Seaford, Long Island, NY, c. 1860 11 in. long
One of at least two rigmate examples from the William H. Purnell Collection, this classic Verity has crisp raised-wing carving, the maker's stippled paint, and a crisp "P" brand on the underside. A nail is embedded up from the stick hole through the back where feathers or a wing may have been attached. Original paint with even wear, gunning touch-up to breast, and traces of old white.
Provenance: William H. Purnell, Jr. Collection Davison B. Hawthorne Collection
Literature: Guyette and Deeter, "North American Decoys at Auction," April 2017, lot 178, rigmate illustrated.
Provenance
William H. Purnell, Jr. Collection Davison B. Hawthorne Collection
Comparable sales
The 5 most recent Verity Family Plovers to cross the block.
| Sold | Condition | Paint | Brought |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Sep 2026 | — | — | $270 |
| Jul 2026 | — | — | $1,680 |
| Jul 2026 | — | — | $900 |
| Feb 2026 | — | — | $21,600 |
| Feb 2026 | — | Original | $3,000 |
Same maker and species, most recent first. Prices include the buyer's premium. All Verity Family sales