Daniel Lake Leeds Lesser Yellowlegs

Daniel Lake Leeds (1852-1922) Pleasantville, NJ, c. 1890 8 1/4 in. long

A painted-eye shorebird decoy with carved raised wings.

In "Classic Shorebird Decoys: A Portfolio of Paintings," William J. Mackey Jr.'s text reads: "Jeremiah Leeds, keeper of the salt flats, left one descendant, Dan Lake Leeds, who carved bird decoys including sanderling, plover, yellowlegs, turnstones, and curlew. His own rig, numbering over fifty snipe, came to light a few years ago. It was probably the greatest single find of its kind in New Jersey decoy history. The Dan Leeds birds have a stylized exaggeration that has an artistic appeal... Paint patterns are bright and adequate, and the technique is unusual; Dan used thick oily paint and laid it on instead of brushing it out. This viscous coating made a durable finish, and the rig was found in mint condition. The old gentleman lavished great care on his decoys during their years of service. They stand on their own merit and have little in common with their New Jersey contemporaries." Original paint with light gunning wear.

Provenance: Harry Megargee Collection Henry Bishop Collection

Provenance

Harry Megargee Collection Henry Bishop Collection