Elisha Burr The Earnest-muller Burr Plover

Elisha Burr (1839-1909) Hingham, MA, c. 1880 11 in. long

Burr was a master at capturing the animated postures of his avian subjects. In fact, he appears to have made more plover in running and feeding poses than upright. This important carving is pictured in “The Art of the Decoy” next to a more common mate in breeding plumage. Adele Earnest chose a rigmate to this decoy when she curated an exhibit for the World’s Fair in 1967. That work now resides in the American Folk Art Museum Collection in New York.

The plump body of this decoy is finished with the maker's best deep-cut split wings, incised primaries, and drop-tail carving. He finished this stellar example with his lively brushwork depicting emerging plumage. The underside retains a Muller Collection ink stamp. Original paint with light gunning wear, original maker's patch behind neck.

Provenance: Lloyd Johnson Collection Phyllis Tavares Collection Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection Private Collection

Literature: Adele Earnest, "The Art of The Decoy: American Bird Carvings," New York, NY, 1965, p. 55, pl. 33, exact decoy illustrated. Copley Fine Art Auctions, "The Winter Sale 2020," Charleston, SC, February 15, 2020, lot 33, exact decoy illustrated.

Provenance

Lloyd Johnson Collection Phyllis Tavares Collection Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection Private Collection