Lafayette Seabury (1823-1910)
Bridgehampton, Long Island, c. 1875
11 in. long
Eskimo curlew decoys by known makers are exceptionally rare. One of the earliest documented shorebird decoys by a known maker from any region, this Eskimo curlew is remarkable for its rarity, age, provenance, and condition. According to Long Island decoy authority Tim Sieger, Lafayette and his brother, Ichabod (1821-1907), “were both carpenters and bayman who lived in Bridgehampton, Long Island. They designed and built many structures around their local, town including the Hendrickson (Tiffany) house on Lumber Lane (1863) and the Bridgehampton Academy (1859). They carved shorebird decoys for their own use together until 1873, when Ichabod moved to Connecticut. It was during this time that Lafayette purchased the family farm on Job’s Lane, moved there and ran the Beebee windmill from 1872 to 1880."
Excellent original paint with minimal gunning wear.
Provenance: Richard LaFountain Collection
Literature: Timothy Sieger, "The Decoys of Long Island," Water Mills, NY, 2010, pp. 67 and 78, rigmates illustrated.
Condition
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