The curlew is a long-billed shorebird, famous for its graceful, down-curved bill and haunting, flute-like call. The species referenced here is a Celeston Curlew, a term used by decoy historians and collectors to describe a classic curlew decoy style — often patterned after birds like the Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus) or Eskimo Curlew (Numenius borealis).
Long-billed Curlew: North America’s largest shorebird, with a spectacularly long bill (up to 8 inches). Historically widespread across the Great Plains, now less common but still seen in breeding areas.
Eskimo Curlew: Once abundant, now critically endangered (possibly extinct), it was heavily hunted in the 19th century, making curlew decoys a poignant piece of hunting history.
Curlew decoys are highly collectible today, both for their graceful silhouettes and because they represent a bygone era of shorebird hunting before federal protection in 1918.
Will Kirkpatrick of Hudson, Massachusetts, is a respected 20th-century carver known for:
Historically Faithful Reproductions: His work carefully replicates the form, paint style, and tool marks of 19th-century working decoys.
Folk-Art Appeal: While fully functional as gunning decoys, his pieces are intended as collectible art, celebrating the heritage of New England and Long Island waterfowling.
Quality Materials: Always kiln-dried native pine bodies and hardwood bases, which resist cracking and warping.
Collector Market: His carvings are well-regarded among collectors of modern and contemporary decoy art for their authenticity and attention to detail.
Carver: Will Kirkpatrick
Model: #40 Celeston Curlew
Dimensions:
Bird: ~15" L x 12.5" T
Base: ~8.5" L x 6.25" W
Materials: Carved pine body, painted in a muted working decoy style; hardwood base with original twine and tag
Condition: Excellent; retains original paint and surface, lightly aged for authenticity
Will Kirkpatrick
Hudson, Mass.#40 CELESTON CURLEW — Thomas Gelsion (1785–1924) lived on Sheepshead Bay and spent his summers in Amagansett, Long Island, N.Y. He was a talented carver who sold his decoys to the famous Abercrombie & Fitch of New York. Weather whittling this curlew with big & rich form his fellow decoy makers and present day carvers get their someone to emulate. While he whittled he gunned the shore, sweating with this labor in order to fill orders. Did the bustled picture of the man sitting on a carving horse, sweat dripping from his brow really involved in a labor of love?
Our birds are reproductions of working shorebird and duck decoys used by sport and market hunters from the early 1800's until 1918, when most shorebirds became protected by federal law. The decoys we have selected to re-create are the works of famous early carvers or represent well-known regional styles.
Our collection also includes other original carvings by Will.
All of our birds are entirely handcarved and handpainted. They look and feel like classic old decoys because the techniques we use were developed after careful study of the original decoys and of the methods and tools available to the men who carved.
Like the old timers, we have become highly skilled at this work and have actually revived a lost art form.
Only the best kiln-dried native pine is used for our birds; bases are chunks of local hardwood.