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Welcome to Decoy-Dux, specializing in quality representative antique, vintage and contemporary duck, goose and shorebird decoys and carvings, as well as miniatures, books, paintings and other related collectibles.
M258: R. G. Rodell Flushing Mallards Diorama
Diorama of 4 flushing mallards by Runar G. Rodell, Wilmette, Wisconsin, circa 1930s. Rodell, born in Sweden in 1898, moved to the U.S. in his thirties, opening a studio around 1935 in Wilmette before finally settling in Prescott, AZ, around 1950. He died in 1989. His works usually incorporate oil-painted backgrounds and figures (people, animals, birds, buildings, etc.) carved from basswood with plant materials created from bits of natural vegetation in the foreground. Among his collectors were Bob Hope and Ronald Reagan. It is believed that all of his work made in Prescott had a paper studio label on the back, whereas his work from Wisconsin was simply signed on the back. This piece is in original condition with the roughly 2-1/2" ducks exhibiting intricate individual primary feathers and detailed painted plumage. It is signed "R.G. Rodell" in the lower left foreground and "Original by R. G. Rodell, Mallards" on the back. The overall dimensions of the diorama are 23" x 12" with the glass measuring roughly 17 1/2" x 10". The oak case is 3 1/2" deep.
Price: $675.00
M123: Passenger Pigeon Carving
Excellent solid-bodied passenger pigeon by an unknown carver, circa 3rd quarter, 20th century, found in eastern Ontario, Canada. Carvings of this species, which is believed to have been extinct since the early 20th century, are rarely found. This example is finely detailed with raised wingtips and carved shoulders, primaries and tail feathers. Even the feathers on the underside of the tail are carved! The original paint is done in the breeding plumage with soft blending and feather detail. Life-sized, this large carving measures 18" from the tip of the bill to the tip of the tail and 5" across the shoulders. Other than an age split in the right side, the carving is in excellent structural condition. Stand not included.
Price: $595.00
M249: Frank Adams Miniature Mallard Drake Decoy Paperweight
Large size mallard drake decoy paperweight by Edward Francis "Frank" Adams (1871 - 1944) of West Tisbury, Martha's Vineyard, MA, circa 1930s. The carving retains Adams' full paper label on the bottom which reads, "E. Frank Adams, Duck Paperweights, Marine Vanes, West Tisbury, Mass". There has been a professional repair to a break in the neck with touch up to that area. Other than a small area of flaking at the tip of the tail, the original paint is in excellent condition with soft feather painting. A favorite with folk art collectors, most of Adams' paperweights were much smaller, measuring 3" to 4" in length. This example is much more rare, measuring 10" in length, 4" in width and standing 3" tall at the crown of the head. His work is chronicled in detail in "Martha's Vineyard Decoys" by Stanley Murphy.
Price: $935.00
M215: Early Carved Quail Family on Tree Fungus
Rare and early carved family of quail, including 2 adults and 3 chicks with wire legs, mounted on inverted shelf fungi, by an unidentified Michigan carver, circa 1900. This carving is pictured in full color on page 289 of Linda and Gene Kangas' excellent new book, "Great Lake Decoy Interpretations". Each bird has early "hat pin" black glass eyes, rasped feather texture and carved wings. On the two adults, even the primaries are separately carved. Structurally excellent, the delicate carving details and fine original feather paint are of the highest quality. The paint shows very minor wear with some light flaking. The tip of the bill of the chick to the right is very slightly blunted. Each adult measures approximately 6" in length while the chicks are each approximately 4" long. The overall piece, including the custom-made stand, is 16" long x 9" high x 6" deep.
Price: $3450.00
M237: James J. Ahearn Preening Miniature Mallard Drake
Miniature mallard drake in mint condition by James J. Ahearn (19?? - 1963), circa 1950. Most of Ahearn's work was sold by Crossroads of Sport in New York City from the mid-1940s up to his death in 1963. Little is known about either his life or where his shop was located. This mallard exhibits a curly tail, carved wings and detailed feather paint with a fine, dry patina. It is 3.5" long, stands 3.25" tall, including the base, and is signed "J. Ahearn" on an end of the base. This carving is nearly identical to the example pictured on page 160 of Birds in Wood and Paint by Joe Ellis. An excellent and most desirable example of Ahearn's work!
Price: $450.00
M240: Miniature Pintail Drake Decoy
Folky miniature carving of a pintail drake attributed to the Sterling family of Crisfield, Maryland, circa 2nd quarter of the 20th century. The carving, in excellent structural condition, exhibits bold, stylized original paint and raised wing tips. There is some printing on the base, including "...ling". The duck itself measures 4.25" in length and stands 4" tall, including the base.
Price: $595.00
M121: Homer Lawrence Decorative Virginia Rail
Mint decorative carving of a Virginia rail by Homer Lawrence, incredibly painted by Sally Riffe. The 12" long carving is signed and dated '64 (1964) on top of the base. It can be argued that Lawrence and Riffe created the most lifelike carvings of their time in Lawrence's shop, "Birds in Wood", which was located in Norwalk, CT. Lawrence was a master of carving, working with a specimen in hand to achieve realism. As good as he was at his craft, Riffe may have been better at hers! The wet-on-wet feather blending and the painted scaling on the legs are as finely accomplished as any painting I've seen on a carving.
Price: $1950.00
M238: Bill Reinbold Great Blue Heron Miniature
Miniature great blue heron by William "Bill" Reinbold, Chestertown, Maryland, circa 1960s. Bill learned to carve from his father, George W. (Wilmer) Reinbold, and is an acclaimed artist in his own right. The carving is in mint original condition with carved wings and detailed feather paint. It measures about 3.5" in length and stands 4" tall, including the driftwood base. Reinbold's faded signature can be distinguished on the side of the base.
Price: $295.00
