Harry V. Shourds Curlew

Harry V. Shourds (1861-1920) Tuckerton, NJ, c. 1890 13 3/4 in. long

Harry Vinuckson Shourds is the most well known decoy maker from New Jersey, he is also one of the earliest. In addition to being one of the few professional carvers of his generation, Shourds hunted ducks for market while his wife used the feathers to make pillows and bedding.

An exemplary Shourds “green rig” shorebird decoy, described as such because of its hue. This curlew displays painted eyes, a splined bill, and exceptional blended feathering. This curlew resides among the finest examples by this maker known to exist. The underside retains the Purnell Collection’s “P” brand.

The larger size of both the body and bill of this carving, in comparison with Lot 70, suggests that Shourds may have made representations of both the larger long-billed curlew and the smaller whimbrel. In original paint with even gunning wear, very minor touch-up to lower left flank and left side of head.

Provenance: William H. Purnell, Jr. Collection Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Collection

Literature: 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 IV, lot 123, rigmate illustrated. Peter Johnson and Alf Wannenburgh, “The World of Shooting,” Lausanne, Switzerland, 1987, pp. 259-261, exact decoy illustrated.

Provenance

William H. Purnell, Jr. Collection Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Collection