John Dilley Black Bellied Plover

John Dilley Quogue, Long Island, NY, c. 1890 10 1/4 in. long

The underside of this plover is identified as a "black bellied plover" in addition to being signed “Dilley.” by the maker. Very few Dilleys carry either the maker's known stamp or signature, making this prime example all the more desirable. Its sides are hit by shot, proof of this gunning decoy's baptism by fire. Original paint with gunning wear, minor touch-up to flaking, and a few shot scars.

Provenance: Helen French Collection Dr. Morton D. Kramer Collection

Literature: Henry A. Fleckenstein Jr., “Shore Bird Decoys,” Exton, PA, 1980, pp. 49-50, color pl. XX, exact decoy illustrated twice. Joe Engers, ed., "The Great Book of Wildfowl Decoys," San Diego, CA, 1990, p. 108 (top middle bird), related example illustrated.

Provenance

Helen French Collection Dr. Morton D. Kramer Collection