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Eskimo Curlew
Charles Sumner Bunn (1865-1952) Shinnecock, NY, or William Bowman (1824-1906) Bangor, ME and Lawrence, Long Island, NY (attr.), c. 1900 William J. Mackey, one of the earliest and most prolific decoy collectors of all time, wrote of the maker of these birds: “Their origin is not definitely known, but the carver created a replica of the live bird as well as any decoy maker of record.” This reaching curlew shows all the markings of a classic Bunn/Bowman decoy, including hard chines on the bill, pronounced wing and cheek carving, split wing tips, and dropped-tail and thigh carving. “FOX” is carefully hand drawn on the underside of the bird.
Provenance: Private Collection, New England
Literature: William J. Mackey, Jr., "American Bird Decoys," New York, NY, 1965, p. 103, plate 87. Adele Earnest, "The Art of the Decoy: American Bird Carvings," West Chester, PA, 1965, p. 173, Fig. 150, similar example illustrated.
Original paint with light gunning wear, repair to right wing tip, and slight discoloration on the underside.
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| Estimate | $20,000 - $30,000 |
| Starting Bid | $10,000 |
