John Dilley Red Knot

John Dilley Quogue, NY, c. 1890 When referring to Dilley shorebirds in “American Bird Decoys,” Mackey states that “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 John Dilley would go on to apply some of the finest representations of plumage ever recorded. With his two tiered paint technique he was able to imply detail without carving or painting every feather. This decoy exemplifies his abilities. Original paint with gunning wear.

Provenance: William Purnell Collection Megargee Collection (acquired in 1983 from the above) Private collection, by descent in the family

Literature: Adele Earnest, The Art of the Decoy: American Bird Carvings, West Chester, PA, 1965, p. 60, Fig. 41, similar example illustrated. Frank Schmidt and Gary Guyette, The Art of Deception: Waterfowl Decoys from the Collection of Paul Tudor Jones II, St. Michaels, MD, 2006, pp. 58-59, similar example illustrated. William J. Mackey, Jr., "American Bird Decoys," New York, NY, 1965, color plate IV, similar example illustrated. John Levinson and Somers Headley, "Shorebirds: The Birds, The Hunters, The Decoys," Centerville, MD, 1991, p. 71, plate 5-14, similar example illustrated

Provenance

William Purnell Collection Megargee Collection (acquired in 1983 from the above) Private collection, by descent in the family