Verity Family Early Golden Plover

John Henry Verity (1788-1866) Seaford, Long Island, NY, c. 1840 11 in. long

The coastal village of Seaford, where John Henry Verity hailed from, is inextricably linked with decoy making and fowling heritage. The maker of this bird is one of the earliest documented decoy carvers from any region and is listed as the father of Obediah (1813-1901). He is widely considered the patriarch of four generations of the Verity carving dynasty. Each decoy region identifies a "father" of the area's style; the Delaware River has John English, the Upper Bay has John "Daddy" Holly, and Long Island has John Henry Verity.

The plump body was broadened with three-piece construction. Later Verity generations would often make even fatter birds, perhaps to tell the decoys' flying brethren that the "dining is good here." Later generations would also move away from the birds' two-piece applied head to a single piece of wood. The body was finished with rare tiger-stripe painting. Original paint with gunning wear consistent with age. Left side resecured with glue. Touch-up to chipped underside of bill.

Provenance: Richard LaFountain Collection Private Collection

Provenance

Richard LaFountain Collection Private Collection