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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.
D0991: Rare And Exceptional 19th Century English Wood Pigeon
One of the better examples that I’ve catalogued, this exceptional English wood pigeon decoy was made by an unknown carver, circa 4th quarter, 19th century. As the only decoy I’ve seen by this maker, it is my opinion that it was probably made by a very talented hunter-craftsman for his own use rather than as part of a commercial operation. Lightly hit by shot, the 14†long fat-bodied decoy has painted eyes with catch-lights and an integrally carved wooden bill. The appealing sharp cuts of the spoke shave used to shape the decoy are clearly visible. The original muted paint has a lustrous satin patina. There is a small area on the right side of the decoy where a defect in the wood was filled in the making. In addition to being drilled to set on a stake on the ground, it has a staple in the back to allow it to be hung from a tree branch.
Price: $1650.00
M393: Vintage Chadwick Wading Bird, Martha's Vineyard
Wading bird by A. Chadwick, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, circa mid-20th century. The carving is fitted with wire legs and is mounted on a 4.5" diameter chip-carved wooden base. It measures about 7.75" from tip of tail to tip of bill and is roughly 8" in height, not including the wooden base. With the base, it measures 10.25" in height. The carving has painted eyes with catch-lights and raised carved wing outlines. It is in original condition with light to moderate rubbing and wear. The carving is signed ". Chadwick, Martha's Vineyard" on the base.
M397: George Boyd Miniature Wood Duck Hen, Circa 2Q, 20C
Miniature wood duck hen with carved crest and tiny painted pins used as eyes by George Boyd (1873-1941), Seabrook, New Hampshire, circa early 2nd quarter, 20th century. The hen, measuring 4†in length, is in original paint with some cracklure and paint chips. “Wood Duck†is written on the bottom. A shoemaker by trade, Boyd's miniatures were so well accepted by the marketplace that major retailers such as Macy's and Abercrombie and Fitch began to carry his "little birds", allowing him to retire from life as a cobbler and live mainly off his income for these carvings. Boyd’s miniatures were in swimming or decoy form and almost exactly replicated his full size carvings, often in male and female pairs. While Boyd didn’t sign or stamp his miniatures, he sometimes identified the species in pencil on the bottom of the base as in this case. What sets Boyd’s work apart from most others is the highly impressionistic painting of the feathers on his birds, represented not so much by the blending of paints and colors as by the use of hundreds of delicately curved strokes that combined to create a soft and textured effect, making his work unique and unmistakeable.
Price: $1050.00
M396: George Boyd Miniature Wood Duck Drake, Circa 2Q, 20C
Miniature wood duck drake with carved crest and tiny painted pin heads used as eyes by George Boyd (1873-1941), Seabrook, New Hampshire, circa early 2nd quarter, 20th century. The drake, measuring 4†in length, is in original paint with some paint chipping. Half of the bill has been replaced. “Wood Duck†is written on the bottom. A shoemaker by trade, Boyd's miniatures were so well accepted by the marketplace that major retailers such as Macy's and Abercrombie and Fitch began to carry his "little birds", allowing him to retire from life as a cobbler and live mainly off his income for these carvings. Boyd’s miniatures were in swimming or decoy form and almost exactly replicated his full size carvings, often in male and female pairs. While Boyd didn’t sign or stamp his miniatures, he sometimes identified the species in pencil on the bottom of the base as in this case. What sets Boyd’s work apart from most others is the highly impressionistic painting of the feathers on his birds, represented not so much by the blending of paints and colors as by the use of hundreds of delicately curved strokes that combined to create a soft and textured effect, making his work unique and unmistakeable.
Price: $850.00
M395: George Boyd Miniature Mallard Hen
Miniature mallard hen with painted tiny pin head eyes by George Boyd (1873-1941), Seabrook, New Hampshire, circa early 2nd quarter, 20th century. The hen, measuring 4.25†in length, is in original paint with paint chips and heat crazing on the neck and head. “Mallard Duck†is written on the base in pencil. A shoemaker by trade, Boyd's miniatures were so well accepted by the marketplace that major retailers such as Macy's and Abercrombie and Fitch began to carry his "little birds", allowing him to retire from life as a cobbler and live mainly off his income for these carvings. Boyd’s miniatures were in swimming or decoy form and almost exactly replicated his full size carvings, often in male and female pairs. While Boyd didn’t sign or stamp his miniatures, he sometimes identified the species in pencil on the bottom of the base as in this case. What sets Boyd’s work apart from most others is the highly impressionistic painting of the feathers on his birds, represented not so much by the blending of paints and colors as by the use of hundreds of delicately curved strokes that combined to create a soft and textured effect, making his work unique and unmistakeable.Painted tack eyes.
Price: $800.00
M394: George Boyd Miniature Mallard Drake
Miniature mallard drake with tiny painted pin head eyes by George Boyd (1873-1941), Seabrook, New Hampshire, circa early 2nd quarter, 20th century. The drake, measuring 4.25†in length, is in original paint with paint chips and light heat crazing on the head. A shoemaker by trade, Boyd's miniatures were so well accepted by the marketplace that major retailers such as Macy's and Abercrombie and Fitch began to carry his "little birds", allowing him to retire from life as a cobbler and live mainly off his income for these carvings. Boyd’s miniatures were in swimming or decoy form and almost exactly replicated his full size carvings, often in male and female pairs. While Boyd didn’t sign or stamp his miniatures, he sometimes identified the species in pencil on the bottom of the base. What sets Boyd’s work apart from most others is the highly impressionistic painting of the feathers on his birds, represented not so much by the blending of paints and colors as by the use of hundreds of delicately curved strokes that combined to create a soft and textured effect, making his work unique and unmistakeable.
Price: $950.00
D0989: Early Wood Pigeon Decoy, Yorkshire, UK, Circa 4Q, 19C
Among the earliest of the decoys from the Yorkshire area in specific and the UK in general, this bird was made circa 1880 - 1890 by a carver that I identified as "Mr. Wright" in an article I wrote on the Yorkshire school of wood pigeon decoys for Hunting & Fishing Collectibles Magazine (Nov-Dec 2019 issue). That identification was based on the name, "Wright", inscribed in the wet paint under the tail of a particular example. However, I've since seen the same name, again inscribed in wet paint, on another pigeon from Yorkshire that was almost certainly carved by a different hand. I now believe that Mr. Wright was the painter and that it is quite possible that a small group of craftsmen either worked in concert or traded ideas and designs resulting in a body of work employing a number of very similar characteristics. Yorkshire decoys of this vintage include some of the finest ever produced in the United Kingdom. This solid-bodied example retains its original glass eyes and measures 12-1/2" in length. It is smooth bodied with a pronounced breast. Showing light to moderate wear with light shot scarring, the well patinated paint is original other than for touch up to an accurately replaced bill. For a purpose I can only guess at, two nails were driven down through the back and into the body, perhaps to prevent age splitting of the body. If so, it worked! Stand included.
Price: $895.00
D0988: Early New Jersey Brant Decoy, Joe Paul, Manahawkin, NJ
Hollow-carved brant decoy in swimming position by Joe Paul (1881-1951), Manahawkin, New Jersey, circa 1Q, 20C. In addition to life as a bayman, Paul worked as a handyman, a carpenter and as a "mosser", a commercial collector of sphagnum peat moss from the bogs of the nearby pine barrens. The decoy is in very good to excellent original condition with light in-use wear and some separation at the body seam. Unusual for New Jersey decoys, Paul’s brant were carved with flat bottoms. Measuring 17-1/2 inchesin length, 5-1/2inches in width and standing almost 8 inches high at the head, the decoy has carved eye grooves but no eyes, painted or otherwise. The ballast weight and line tie have been removed.
Price: $695.00
