John Dilley Dowitcher In Winter Plumage

John Dilley Quogue, Long Island, NY, c. 1890 10 in. long

Regarding the rig of six Dilley shorebirds that he first acquired, William J. Mackey Jr. recounts in "Classic Shorebird Decoys," "These decoys had real class and were envied by fellow collectors such as Joel Barber and Edgar Burke, who left my house walking on air because I had given them each a snipe."

When referring to Dilley shorebirds in "American Bird Decoys," Mackey states, “There is no question that the detailed, stylized painting is unsurpassed. They are beautiful examples from the hand of a fastidious workman.”

Starting with clean lines and a solid form, Dilley applied some of the finest representations of plumage ever demonstrated. Using a two-tiered paint technique, he was able to imply detail without carving or painting every feather. This bird exhibits excellent wing detail that subtly resolves under the tail. Original paint with even gunning wear, including minor flaking and a small spot of touch-up on back of head.

Provenance: Dr. Morton D. Kramer Collection

Literature: Milton C. Weiler and William J. Mackey Jr., "Classic Shorebird Decoys: A Portfolio of Paintings," New York, NY, 1971, pl. 7 related example illustrated. Laurence Sheehan, "The Birding Life," New York, NY, 2011, p. 95, related example illustrated. Adele Earnest, "The Art of the Decoy: American Bird Carvings," New York, NY, 1965, p. 60, pl. 41, related example illustrated. Robert Shaw, "Bird Decoys of North America," New York, NY, 2010, p. 84, related example illustrated.

Provenance

Dr. Morton D. Kramer Collection