John Dilley Willet

John Dilley Quogue, NY, c. 1890 The species of this decoy has been crisply identified by the maker as a “Willet” on the underside in distinctive painted lettering. This full-bodied, split-tail carving features the intricate and precise feathering that Dilley is known for and that collectors covet.

Lending to the rarity of this Willet decoy, William J. Mackey, Jr. states in "Classic Shorebird Decoys: A Portfolio of Paintings" that only Dilley’s yellowlegs featured split-tail carving. Outstanding original paint with light gunning wear, a replaced bill, and a couple small chips at back of the stick hole.

Provenance: Private Collection

Literature: Joe French, "The Dilley Shorebirds," Decoy Magazine, Lewes, DE, 1994, pp. 8-11, related examples illustrated. Milton C. Weiler and William J. Mackey, Jr., "Classic Shorebird Decoys: A Portfolio of Paintings," New York, NY, 1971, plate 7, similar example illustrated.

Provenance

Private Collection