John Dilley Red Knot

John Dilley Quogue, Long Island, NY, c. 1890 9 3/4 in. long

This robin snipe in bright breeding plumage with carved wings and excellent stippled and blended paint exemplifies this celebrated maker's best efforts. According to "Shorebirds" authors Levinson and Headley, this exact decoy "shows a red knot with feather painting so realistic that you want to reach out and touch it." Original paint with minor gunning wear.

Provenance: Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Collection

Literature: John M. Levinson and Somers G. Headley, "Shorebirds," Centreville, MD, 1991, p. 71, figure 5-14, exact decoy illustrated. Adele Earnest, "The Art of The Decoy," New York, NY, 1965, pp. 60 and 180, plate 41 and 156, related example illustrated.

Provenance

Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Collection