Black-Bellied Plover
George H. Boyd (1873-1941)
Seabrook, NH c. 1900
One of the finest George Boyd plovers known, this exact decoy is illustrated prominently in two important decoy books, including two images in Shore Bird Decoys. It displays Boyd's classic form, "shoe button" eyes, and stippled feather detail. Two stick holes on the underside allow the bird to be presented in a standing or feeding pose. Near mint with a few very minor spots of touch-up, original bill.
PROVENANCE: Steve Tyng Collection
William Butler Collection
Grant Nelson Collection
LITERATURE: Henry A. Fleckenstein, Jr., "Shore Bird Decoys," Exton, PA, 1980, pp. 56 and 58, exact decoy illustrated twice.
John and Shirley Delph, "New England Decoys," Exton, PA, 1990, p. 45, exact decoy illustrated.
Jim Cullen, Finely Carved and Nicely Painted: The Life, Art and Decoys of George H. Boyd, Seabrook, NH, 1873-1941, Rye, NH, 2009, the title page, pp. 22 and 23, similar decoys illustrated.
Stephen O'Brien, Jr. Fine Arts, 2003 Catalog, Boston, MA, 2003, no. 47, exact decoy illustrated.
Condition
Condition report requests can be made via email or by telephone (info@copleyart.com or 617.536.0030). Any condition statement given is a courtesy to customers, Copley will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition.