William J. Matthews Golden Plover

William Matthews Assawoman Island, VA, c. 1885 In all, approximately 75 shorebirds have been collected from this rig of decoys: curlews, red-knots, black-bellied plovers, yellowlegs, and sanderlings. This decoy, however, is the only golden plover decoy to have surfaced. Made in the traditional Eastern Shore Virginia manner with elliptically cut eyes, and a prominent ridge from the base of the back of the neck to the tail. This decoy also displays nice raised primary carving. Displaying exceptional form with a deep round belly, pronounced “fat” cheeks, and a round fan-tail. Original paint is impressionistically applied and has even gunning wear; some early fill to the back of the head; there is a tight crack halfway down the bill.

Literature: Quintina Colio, American Decoys, Ephrata, PA, 1972, p. 60.