Nathan Cobb, Jr. Curlew

Nathan Cobb, Jr. (1825-1905) Cobb Island, VA, c. 1870 One of the finest Virginia curlews to come on the market in recent memory. Two other curlews from this rig are currently held in important private collections, one in Maryland and the other in Minnesota. The curlew in the Minnesota collection came directly from William H. Purnell Jr., and the curlew in the Maryland collection came directly out of the James M. McCleery sale. This example shares the common thread of impeccable provenance, coming directly to the consignor from William J. Mackey Jr. in the 1960's. This balanced decoy shows exact proportions with a beautifully rounded head and cheek carving that extends to a near perfect rounded body curvature sweeping to a delicate Cobb Island tail-cut. The carver's attention to detail extended to the precisely placed symmetrical eyes that were stamped with an empty rifle cartridge and then carved. Light gunning wear; small age line along top of head; area of wear around stick hole has some touchup; early oak bill is possibly the original; a few shot holes to the left side, with a single to the right.

Provenance: William J. Mackey Jr. Collection Donal C. O'Brien Jr. Collection

Literature: Paul A. Johnsgard, "The Bird Decoy: An American Art Form," Lincoln, NE, 1976, pp. 154, 156. Donna Tonelli, "Top of The Line Hunting and Fishing Collectibles," Atglen, PA, 1998, p. 206, plate 436. Henry A. Fleckenstein, Jr., "Southern Decoys of Virginia and the Carolinas," Exton, PA, 1983, p. 206, plate 436. Robert H. Richardson, "Chesapeake Bay Decoys," Burtonsville, MD, 1991, p. 184, rigmate illustrated. Henry A. Fleckenstein, Jr., "Shore Bird Decoys," Exton, PA, 1980, p. 130, plate 145, rigmate illustrated.

Provenance

William J. Mackey Jr. Collection Donal C. O'Brien Jr. Collection