Ruddy Turnstone, Bowman or Bunn, Long Island NY

Some of the very best American shorebird decoys were made in Long Island New York, yet attribution of the style to a specific carver remains a subject of active debate. Consensus is that this style of decoy was made either by Charles Sumner Bunn or William “Bill” Bowman. Regardless, these birds are true works of art and the pinnacle of the form. In Milton C. Weiler’s seminal Classic Shorebird Decoys (1971), William J. Mackey Jr. writes: “In hand, [Bowman’s] decoys have the feel of real birds. His knowledge and study of the live bird and his skill with a knife transferred the feel of the wishbone, the unfolded wings and the modeling of the bone structure to blocks of wood. His was a unique talent not given to any other decoy maker.” In Bird Decoys of North America (2010), Robert Shaw writes that Bunn’s decoys “transcend the decoy genre” and “rank among the finest bird portraits by an American artist.” This ruddy turnstone exemplifies the form. Pronounced cheek, wing and tail carving. Inserted wood beak. German bead glass eyes. This decoy was made in the United States so it is exempt from tariffs, if purchased by an American buyer who wants it shipped back to the USA. Standard duty will apply. Unmarked.

Estimate:$14,022.3

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