Harry V. Shourds Robin Snipe

Harry V. Shourds (1861-1920) Tuckerton, NJ, c. 1890 9 in. long

A red knot in bright spring plumage. Robin snipe carvings by this maker are amongst the rarest species that he carved, with the majority of Shourds decoys fashioned as plovers and yellowlegs. Original paint with light gunning wear.

Provenance: The Johnson Collection

Literature: James R. Doherty, "Classic New Jersey Decoys," Louisville, KY, 2011, p. 70, related examples illustrated. Jeff Waingrow, “The American Decoy: Folk Sculpture from the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Donal C. O’Brien Jr.,” The Clarion: America’s Folk Art Magazine, Fall 1981, p. 31, related decoy illustrated. Robert Shaw, "Call to the Sky: The Decoy Collection of James M. McCleery, M.D.," Houston, TX, 1992, p. 58, related example illustrated.

Provenance

The Johnson Collection