Early Dowitcher
Lothrop T. Holmes (1824-1899)
Kingston, MA, c. 1870
9 in. long

An exceedingly rare Holmes species, the body lines of this decoy resemble those of his famous ruddy turnstones; however, the head of this sandpiper is cocked back slightly in an alert position.
Original paint with gunning wear, touch-up to reset neck, replaced eyes and bill.

Provenance: Ronald Swanson Collection
Private Collection, Florida

Literature: Ronald Swanson, "The Decoy as Folk Sculpture," Cranbrook Academy of Art Exhibition Catalog, January 1987, p. 16, fig. 22 (2nd from left), exact decoy illustrated.

Exhibited: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, "The Decoy as Folk Sculpture," Cranbrook Academy of Art, January 27-February 22, 1987.

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