Elisha Burr Running Plover

Elisha Burr (1839-1909) Hingham, MA, c. 1880 The Burrs were masters of capturing the postures of live birds. Their decoys were carved in animated poses with complex wing and tail treatments and lively brush strokes. When Adele Earnest curated the World's Fair in 1967, she selected a nearly identical example which now resides in the collection of the American Folk Art Museum in New York.

John Delph, referring to this Burr decoy along with two others, described them as, "Rare feeding positions with dropped tail carving. In near mint condition, these shorebirds are among the finest folk art extant."

This is one of the best Burr shorebird examples to ever come to market. In near mint original paint with minimal gunning wear.

Provenance: John Delph Collection Private Collection

Literature: John and Shirley Delph, “New England Decoys,” Exton, PA, 2007, p. 111, exact decoy illustrated. Hal Sorenson, ed., “Decoy Collector’s Guide: 1968 Annual,” Burlington, IA, pp. 113-114, similar decoy illustrated. Quintina Colio, "American Decoys," Ephrata, PA, 1972, p. 72, similar decoy illustrated. Richard A. Bourne Co. Inc., "Very Rare and Important American Bird Decoys from the Collection of the Late William J. Mackey, Jr., of Belford, New Jersey," Boston, MA, 1973, Session II, lot 481, similar decoy illustrated.

Provenance

John Delph Collection Private Collection