John Dilley
Quogue, Long Island, NY, c.  1880
10 1/2 in. long
   The uplifted head attitude, split-tail carving, and superb paint application displayed on this  gunned-over decoy place it at the very top of  known works by the maker. The underside has an  early collector's identification. Additionally, it  features the elegant, coveted, but rarely seen "Dilley" script signature on the bottom.  When referring to Dilley shorebirds in "American  Bird Decoys," Mackey states, “There is no question  that the detailed, stylized painting is unsurpassed. They are beautiful examples from the  hand of a fastidious workman.” Starting with clean  lines and a solid form, Dilley applied some of  the finest representations of plumage ever  demonstrated. Employing a two-tiered paint technique, he was able to imply detail without  carving or painting every feather. 
Original  paint with even gunning wear and old working  touch-up to original bill.
Provenance:  Private Collection, Tennessee
Literature: Milton C. Weiler and William J. Mackey Jr., "Classic Shorebird Decoys: A Portfolio of Paintings," New York, NY, 1971, pl. 7.                                                                                                                            
                                                
Condition
                                                                                            
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