Elisha Burr Black Bellied Plover

Elisha Burr (1839-1909) Hingham, MA, c. 1880 The Burrs were masters of capturing the postures of live birds, and their decoys were carved in animated poses with complex wing and tail treatments. This carving style, coupled with their lively brush strokes, created decoys that seem alive with movement. When Adele Earnest curated the World's Fair in 1967, she selected a rigmate to this decoy, which now resides in the collection of the American Folk Art Museum in New York.

This running shorebird decoy has small glass shoe button eyes set in a deeply carved eye groove. The split wing tips, with detailed primaries and drop tail carving, have remained whole despite the bird's gunning past, as shown by the few shot holes in the decoy. A great majority of Burr’s decoys were never hunted and were sold as decorative objects. Original paint with minimal gunning wear. Working touch-up to breast and very tip of bill.

Literature: Quintina Colio, "American Decoys," Ephrata, PA, 1972, p. 72, similar decoy illustrated. William J. Mackey, Jr., "American Bird Decoys," New York, NY, 1965, plate 69, similar bird illustrated. Richard A. Bourne Co. Inc., "Very Rare and Important American Bird Decoys, From the Collection of the Late William J. Mackey, Jr. of Belford, New Jersey" Boston, MA, 1973, Session II, Lot 481, similar decoy illustrated. Hal Sorenson ed., “Decoy Collector’s Guide: 1968 Annual,” Burlington, IA, pp. 113-114, similar decoy illustrated. John and Shirley Delph, “New England Decoys,” Exton, PA, p. 89, similar decoy illustrated. Jeff Waingrow, “American Wildfowl Decoys,” New York, NY, 1985, similar decoy illustrated.