Nathan Cobb, Jr. Running Curlew

Nathan F. Cobb, Jr. (1825-1905) Cobb Island, VA, c. 1880

This bold decoy features the classic Cobb tail split, an original oak bill, and black glass eyes within carved eye grooves. While Cobb curlew decoys are rare, this bird with its original paint and bill is a particularly noteworthy example. This early gunning decoy has impeccable provenance, coming directly to the consignor from renowned decoy collector William J. Mackey, Jr. in the 1960s.

The underside of this decoy displays the maker’s large serifed “N.” Original paint with gunning wear, age lines, a crack in bill, and roughness on the tip of bill.

Provenance: William J. Mackey, Jr. Collection William H. Purnell, Jr. Collection, acquired from the above in 1968

Literature: Robert Shaw, "Call to the Sky: The Decoy Collection of James M. McCleery, M.D.," Houston, TX, 1992, p. 83, rigmate illustrated. Robert Shaw, "Bird Decoys of North America," New York, NY, 2010, p. 214, rigmate illustrated.

Provenance

William J. Mackey, Jr. Collection William H. Purnell, Jr. Collection, acquired from the above in 1968