Lewis A. Cranmer Early Curlew Pair

Lewis A. Cranmer (1845-1920) Cedar Run, NJ, c. 1890 14 in. long

A pair of curlew with pronounced cheeks. As North America's largest shorebird, curlew are recognizable by their signature curved bill shaped somewhat like a crescent moon. In fact, the scientific name for the long-billed curlew, Numenius americanus, comes from the Greek word "noumenios" meaning "new moon."

Each has a stringing hole through the tail. The underside of each is stamped with a "T" above the stick hole. One is in original paint with gunning wear with a reset neck. The other has working scratch paint and gunning wear. Each has a replaced bill.

Literature: Christie's, "Important American Furniture, Folk Art, Prints And Decoys," New York, NY, January 17th, 2008, lot 364, exact pair illustrated. Henry A. Fleckenstein Jr., "New Jersey Decoys," Exton, PA, 1983, p. 155, pl. 363, related example illustrated.