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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.
D0621: Upstate New York Redhead Drake Decoy
Excellent solid-bodied, glass-eyed redhead drake decoy by an unknown carver from Niagara Falls, New York, circa 1st quarter, 20th century. One of a small rig of redheads and scaup found around 1990, it has a well-rounded body with upturned tail and unique head and bill carving. The decoy is in bold original paint with a highly stylized wingtip paint pattern. This bird is one of the few that survived in original paint. I have seen several others from that rig that had the initials "EK" carved into the bottoms. It measures approximately 13.5" in length, 6.5" in width and 6.5" high at the top of the head. Great example of American folk art!
Price: $1250.00
D0726: Mason Premier Mallard Hen Decoy
Very nice Premier grade mallard hen with early snakey head by the Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan, circa 1st quarter, 20th century. The hollow-bodied, glass-eyed decoy is in original paint with moderate wear, except for touchup to a tail chip repair. Other than the well done tail chip repair and some splintering on the bottom of the bird, it is in excellent structural condition with a tight body seam and the original neck putty. It measures almost 18" in length, 6" in width and stands 7" tall at the head. SOLD
D0725: J. Zender Illinois River Green-Winged Teal Decoy
Rare hollow-bodied, tack-eyed green-winged teal hen decoy by Joseph A. Zender (1888 - 1960) of Chicago, Illinois, circa 1930s. The immaculately detailed and richly hued mint original feather paint of this outstanding decoy is protected by a light coat of varnish or other clear sealer. There is a very tight hairline crack on the right side of the bill near the decoy's face, otherwise the structural condition is excellent. Zender carved approximately 200 decoys over a period of roughly 15 years, beginning around 1929. An avid hunter, he was a member of the Peru Gun Club and shot over his decoys on some of the finest water the region had to offer. The bird measures 12" in length x 5.5" in width x 7" in height. In my mind, one of the finest Illinois River teal out there!
Price: $2950.00
M247/248: Pair of Frank Willis Mallard Decoys
Mint pair of early (1966) mallard decoys by Frank C. Willis of Redwood City, California. Willis (1918 - 1997) carved between 300 and 400 fine decorative decoys from old growth redwood between the mid-1960s and early 1980s. Willis was a perennial winner in the annual Pacific Flyway Decoy Contests. Each bird is signed "Frank C. Willis", dated and numbered "No. 96". The initials "FW" are also incised into the bottoms. Each is in mint condition with a solid body, glass eyes and detailed feather paint. They measure 12" in length and have their head turned approximately 30 degrees to the left. They are what Willis called his Model S (small size, two-thirds scale), as listed in his brochure shown in a four-page article on Willis by Paul Mazzilli in the July/August 2009 issue of Decoy Magazine.
Price: $475.00
D0721: Fred Allen Bluebill Drake Decoy
A well-proportioned and rare hollow-bodied bluebill drake by Fred Allen (1838 - 1912), Monmouth, Illinois, circa 4th quarter of the 19th century. The decoy is in original paint with good patina and combed paint on the back, showing moderate flaking and wear. His decoys are fitted with a gasket to prevent leakage at the body seam. Measuring approximately 12" in length, 6" in width and 6.5" in height, it is structurally excellent with no cracks or breaks and a tight body seam. The left eye is cracked but intact. The bird was formerly in the collection of Joe French, with his collection number (152) on the bottom. The decoy's lead weight has notches, perhaps purposeful, on each end, two on one and five on the other. Allen, a frequent advertiser in sporting publications in the late 1800s, was perhaps best known for his patented bow-facing oars and duck calls. His work, some of the earliest documented from the Illinois River region, is chronicled in numerous decoy books and publications, including Decoys and Decoy Carvers of Illinois by Parmalee and Loomis.
Price: $3750.00
D0697: Reggie Birch Red-Breasted Merganser Drake Decoy
Well executed red-breasted merganser drake decoy done in the early Cobb Island gunning style by Reggie Birch of Chincoteague, Virginia. A fine, fat-bodied bird with an exaggerated bulbous breast, carved crest, square-pegged neck joint, black glass eyes and typical Cobb Island carved wing tips, the decoy is in aged original paint with a replica of Nathan Cobb's serifed "N" carved in the base. There is an age split in the back of the 14" long bird. "R. Birch" is carved under the tail. A nationally recognized blue ribbon carver who is also known for his quality restorations, Reggie and his carvings are featured in Loy Harrell’s book DECOYS – Sixty Living and Outstanding North American Carvers. Also see H&F Collectibles Magazine cover story about Birch in their Sep/Oct, 2009 issue.
Price: $425.00
D0308: Cameron McIntyre Red-Breasted Merganser Drake
Solid-bodied red-breasted merganser drake by Cameron J. McIntyre of New Church, Virginia, circa 1995. A big bird, measuring 19" in length, it is carved in the late 19th century style, with carved eyes, crest and pronounced wing and shoulder edges. It is in excellent structural condition with aged and finely stylized original paint. The bird has his initials, "CJM" carved in the bottom. Recognized as one of today's finest contemporary carvers, Cameron works exclusively with hand tools in the manner of the great decoy makers of the past. His work is highly sought by discriminating collectors. SOLD
D0650: Feeding Canada Goose Decoy
Excellent solid-bodied feeding Canada goose decoy in original condition by an unknown mid-Atlantic region carver, circa 1950. There is light wear to the detailed feather paint, a tight age split in the back and a larger split in the bottom, extending over to the left side of the bird. It is carved in a most unusual and animated feeding or reaching position. Never rigged, it appears to be a floater, but could have been intended as a field decoy. The decoy measures approximately 25.5" in overall length.
Price: $875.00
