The Earnest Verity Plover, Obediah Verity (1813-1901)

About Auction

Live

The Sporting Sale 2018, Day 1

By Copley Fine Art Auctions

Jul 19, 2018

Set Reminder 2018-07-19 13:00:00 2018-07-19 13:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : The Sporting Sale 2018, Day 1 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/copley/the-sporting-sale-2018-day-1-3286
On July 19, Copley Fine Art Auctions will lead off their annual Sporting Sale with 140 lots from the Donal C. O’Brien, Jr. Collection of Important American Sporting Art and Decoys. On July 20 Copley will present an additional 425 lots of decoys, fish carvings, and sporting art. Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com

View Full Catalog (140)

• Lot Description
  The Earnest Verity Plover
  Obediah Verity (1813-1901)
  Seaford, Long Island, NY, c. 1880
  10 1/2 in. long
  
  “Verity’s most distinctive form is a feeding shorebird, with its bulbous head bent down and forward, its fixed eyes seemingly intent on some choice morsel before it. The outline of the bending form is a series of graceful unbroken curves that extend from the tip of the tail over and around all sides of the body, neck, and head.” -Robert Shaw, "Bird Decoys of North America"
  
  This rare feeding plover was acquired directly from Adele Earnest. O'Brien noted this bird was Verity's "best style, best position." The bold design displays a deep feeding pose that perfectly captures the probing nature of the species. Highly unusual for the maker, the head is slightly turned to the right. The bird features everything that seasoned collectors look for in a Verity: carved eyes, raised S-curve wings, V-shape primaries, the maker’s best stippled paint, and impeccable provenance.
  Original paint with traces of old working paint, gunning wear, some darkening to breast, replaced bill, and some old some old patches and fill to bottom.
  
  Provenance: Adele Earnest Collection
  Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Collection, acquired from the above
  
  Literature: Jackson Parker, “O’Brien Classic Decoys on Display at Museum of American Folk Art,” North American Decoys Magazine, Spanish Fork, UT, Spring/Summer 1982, p. 30, exact decoy illustrated.
  Robert Shaw, "Bird Decoys of North America," New York, NY, 2010, p. 180.
  Laurence Sheehan, "The Birding Life," New York, NY, 2011, p. 92, exact decoy illustrated.Jeff Waingrow, "American Wildfowl Decoys," New York, NY, 1989, p. 42. Milton C. Weiler and William J. Mackey, Jr., "Classic Shorebird Decoys: A Portfolio of Paintings," New York, NY, 1971, pl. 19, related example illustrated.
  Laurence Sheehan, "The Birding Life," New York, NY, 2011, p. 92, exact decoy illustrated.
  
  Exhibited: New York, New York, “The Art of the American Decoy: Folk Sculpture from the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Donal C. O’Brien Jr.,” Museum of American Folk Art, September 3-November 8, 1981.

  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.
• Shipping Info

  • Shipping info

    Copley Fine Art Auctions does not handle the shipping of any items. Shipping is the sole responsibility of the buyer. Once your payment has cleared, and we have received your authorized shipping release form items may be released for shipment. Copley Fine Art Auctions, LLC shall have no liability for any loss or damage to such items. Buyers should allow up to four weeks for shipment.
     
    PLEASE BE AWARE THAT INTERNET BIDDERS MAY NOT PICK UP THEIR ITEMS AT THE SALE SITE. ITEMS CAN BE PICKED UP BY APPOINTMENT OR SHIPPED STARTING FIVE DAYS AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THE SALE

• Buyer's Premium

  • Hammer Price	Premium (%)
    $0	20.00
    $1,000,000	15.00