H.V. Shourds & Painted Shorebird on Wood Base

Updated September 19, 2026

Hand-carved and painted wooden shorebird by Harry V. Shourds (1930–2017), the noted New Jersey decoy and wildlife carver and 1989 recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship. The bird is modeled in a compact standing pose with a short dark bill, painted eye, finely patterned gray, tan, cream, and black plumage, and slender metal legs mounted to a simple weathered rectangular wood base. The underside is hand-inscribed “H.V. SHOURDS.” Shourds was a third-generation New Jersey carver whose work continued the Barnegat Bay decoy tradition associated with his grandfather, Harry Vinuckson Shourds. Condition shows light age-related wear, scattered scratches and rubbing to the painted surface, minor oxidation to the metal legs, and expected wear and small losses to the wood base. Measures 5"H x 5"W x 2.75"D.

More lots in this auction

• J.C. West, 1977, & Painted Shorebird Sculpture
• Vintage & Painted Male Northern Pintail Duck Decoy
• J.C. West, 1973, & Painted Male Mallard Duck Decoy
• Ray Starns, & Grebe Decoy, Chincoteague, Virginia
• J.C. West, 1976, & Painted Male Wood Duck Decoy
• & Painted Wren Sculpture on Rustic Wood Base
• J.C. West, 1976, & Painted Female Wood Duck Decoy
• J.C. West, 1975, & Northern Owl on Wood Base

See all lots in SEPTEMBER AUCTION →