Otis Seaman Rare Early Feeding Yellowlegs

Otis Seaman (attr.) Somers Point, NJ, c. 1890 6 in. tall, 10 3/4 in. long

This early and elaborate New Jersey carving is among the most significant late-19th/early-20th century decorative shorebird carvings made outside of Elmer Crowell's workshop. It is made in the Shourds and Barnegat Bay style, in which the feeding pose is exceedingly rare. It closely resembles, and may even be the work of, Shourds. The sides, wing tips, and toes are all applied and the legs are copper. Original paint with even wear, some craquelure, and a replaced bill.

Literature: Henry A. Fleckenstein Jr., "New Jersey Decoys," Exton, PA, 1983, p. 178, pl. 431, related example illustrated.