Nathan Cobb, Jr. Black Bellied Plover

Nathan F. Cobb Jr. (1825-1905) Cobb Island, VA, c. 1880 A full-bodied shorebird decoy with an incised serifed "N" signature, shoe button eyes, a through-splined bill, and a branded "P" for the Purnell Collection. Original paint with some old working touch-up, worn to the wood in places, even gunning wear, shot scars with traces of filler, and a couple age lines.

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

Literature: William J. Mackey, Jr., "American Bird Decoys," New York, NY, 1965, page 128, plate VII, rigmate illustrated. Henry A. Fleckenstein, Jr., "Shore Bird Decoys," Exton, PA, 1980, p. 68, plate 70, similar decoy illustrated. Henry A. Fleckenstein, Jr., "Southern Decoys of Virginia and the Carolinas," Exton, PA, 1983, p. 210, plate 448, similar decoy illustrated.

Provenance

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