Eli Doughty Curlew

Eli Doughty (1844-1923) Hog Island, VA, c. 1870

A full-bodied shorebird decoy displaying classic Northampton County form with a square, inserted splined bill, raised primaries, and a branded "P" on the underside for the Purnell collection. Hog Island is Virginia's barrier island immediately north of Cobb Island. This bird's broad shoulders measure three and one-half inches in width. Original paint with an old second coat on the wings mostly worn to the wood, gunning wear, a couple tight age cracks, and the bill appears to be a replacement.

Provenance: William H. Purnell, Jr. Collection

Provenance

William H. Purnell, Jr. Collection