Elisha Burr The Mackey-o'brien Burr Feeding Plover

Elisha Burr (1839-1909) Hingham, MA, c. 1880 11 in. long

Elisha Burr was a master of capturing the postures of live birds. This decoy shows Burr at his best. His birds were carved in animated poses with complex wing and tail treatments. The deep feeding posture of this decoy is rare for any maker, including Burr. This carving style, coupled with Burr's lively brush strokes, created decoys that seem alive with movement. For this reason, Adele Earnest chose a rigmate to this decoy when she curated the World’s Fair in 1967. That rigmate now resides in the American Folk Art Museum Collection in New York City.

This animated shorebird decoy has small glass eyes set in the concave eye grooves. The plump body is finished with the maker's best split-wing, detailed primary, and drop-tail carving. Original paint with light gunning wear, including minor losses to wing tips.

Provenance: Tony Waring Collection William J. Mackey Jr. Collection, acquired from the above Donal C. O'Brien Jr. Collection Dr. Morton D. Kramer Collection, acquired from the sale of the above

Literature: Copley Fine Art Auctions, "The Donal C. O'Brien Jr. Collection of Important American Sporting Art and Decoys, Sessions I-II," July 27, 2017, lot 46, exact decoy illustrated. Quintina Colio, "American Decoys," Ephrata, PA, 1972, p. 72, similar example illustrated.

Provenance

Tony Waring Collection William J. Mackey Jr. Collection, acquired from the above Donal C. O'Brien Jr. Collection Dr. Morton D. Kramer Collection, acquired from the sale of the above