Verity Family Antebellum Curlew

John Henry Verity (1788-1866) Seaford, Long Island, NY, c. 1830 16 in. long

The coastal village of Seaford, where John Henry Verity hailed from, is inextricably linked with decoy making and fowling heritage. The maker of this bird is one of the earliest documented decoy carvers from any region and is listed as the father of Obediah (1813-1901) and Smith Clinton Verity (1845-1920). Gene and Linda Kangas discuss his significance in a 2017 article, observing that "He is recognized as the patriarch of the Verity family decoy dynasty.”

Aside from its early origin, this grand decoy is a truly unique interpretation of this rare species. Like the reaching heads of Cobb’s best brant and geese, this shorebird was made in the "root-head" fashion from a single twisted piece of wood from head to tail. This continuous grain afforded the extra strength needed to survive roughly two centuries. Beyond the rich shores of Long Island, this sculpture is one of the few antebellum decoys to have survived. In old working paint with gunning wear, some age lines, including one in head, and partial bill replacement.

Provenance: Bud Ward Collection Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection

Literature: Gene and Linda Kangas, "Older Than Methuselah," Decoy Magazine, Lewes, DE, March/April 2017, pp. 24-32, related decoy illustrated. Linda and Gene Kangas, "Decoys," Paducah, KY, 1992, p. 312, pl. 604, related decoy illustrated. Loy S. Harrell Jr., "Decoys: North America’s One Hundred Greatest," Iola, WI, 2000, p. 201, related example illustrated.

Provenance

Bud Ward Collection Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection