Joseph Lincoln Red Knot

Joseph W. Lincoln (1859-1938) Accord, MA, c. 1890 An extremely rare red-breasted, or robin snipe, shorebird decoy displaying tack eyes, stipple-painted feathering along the back, knife carving, and a McCleery collection stamp on the underside. It is also marked on each side with stamped letters that appear to read “C A _ _ RDY,” possibly for sportsman and early A. E. Crowell patron, Charles Ashley Hardy.

This exact decoy was used as a model for Weiler and Mackey's "Classic Shorebird Decoys: A Portfolio of Paintings."

The largest and brightest of the peeps, red knots rely heavily on consuming horseshoe crab eggs in Delaware Bay during their migrations. Historically one of the smallest populations of shorebirds, red knot decoys are exceedingly rare. Lincoln carved very few birds of this species, and finding an example other than this one in any decoy publication is virtually impossible. Fine original paint with light gunning wear.

Provenance: James M. McCleery, M.D. Collection Private Collection

Literature: Milton C. Weiler and William J. Mackey, Jr., "Classic Shorebird Decoys: A Portfolio of Paintings," New York, NY, 1971, plate 13, exact decoy illustrated. Sotheby's and Guyette and Schmidt, "American Waterfowl Decoys: The Distinguished Collection of Dr. James M. McCleery," New York, NY, January 22, 2000, lot 321, exact bird illustrated. Cap Vinal, "Joseph W. Lincoln," Rockland, MA, 2002, p. 66, related decoys illustrated.

Provenance

James M. McCleery, M.D. Collection Private Collection