George F. Burkley Broadbill Pair

George F. Burkley (1917-2007) Bordentown, NJ, c. 1940 A pair of hollow Delaware River diving decoys. This hunter was known to carve decoys only for his own rig. Both have their original rigging and the maker's "G. Burkley, Bordentown, N.J." raised letter rectangular copper tags. Original paint with light gunning wear. The bottoms were repainted after the original keels were removed.

Literature: Harrison H. Huster and Doug Knight, "Floating Sculptures: The Decoys of the Delaware River," Spanish Fork, UT, 1982, p. 43, rigmates illustrated.