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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.
D0880: Rare Red-Backed Sandpiper Decoy, Circa Late 1800s
Excellent early and rare full-bodied red-backed or spotted sandpiper decoy, maker and origin unknown, circa late 1800s. Measuring 8-1/2" from the tip of the bill to the end of the tail and approximately 1-3/4" in diameter, it is in original paint and retains what are most likely its original iron legs. The iron bill is a professional replacement. The slight reddish undertone of the paint on the back, along with overall size of the decoy and its bill, suggest that it was intended to be a red-backed sandpiper (dunlin). There are several tight cracks in its head, and the decoy has been lightly hit by shot, otherwise the structural condition is excellent. Rusted remnants of the shanks of tacks or nails which were used as the eyes remain. Stand included. SOLD
M363: Louisiana Bobwhite Quail, Circa 2 Q, 20 C.
Vintage bob white quail by an unknown maker, carved in approximately one-half scale from a single piece of cypress root, including the base. Although it stands 6.25" tall, it is very lightweight, weighing only 2.5 ounces. The carving was found in Thibodaux, Louisiana, and appears to be circa 2nd quarter, 20th century. Other than some touch up to the legs and bill, the carving is in original paint with a nice patina. The base was broken off just above the feet and at one time and professionally rejoined with the body. A very nice carving showing good age! SOLD
D0879: Superb 19th Century English Wood Pigeon Decoy
This is the first decoy by this maker that I’ve seen. It’s quite old, perhaps the oldest I’ve been able to document. My best guess is circa 1875. Because the style is so different from anything I’ve seen, I’m presently unable to name a probable area of origin, other than the United Kingdom. Measuring 14” in length and 4” across the shoulders, it is quite sculptural with a high head and an upsloped tail spliced (last photo) into a full and well conformed body. The wing tips are raised and deeply incised while the shoulders are softly carved. Other than for touch up at the professionally replaced bill, the decoy is in original paint with a very light but pleasing craquelure texture in some areas. The red-orange eyes are old and unusual taxidermy eyes. Stand not included. SOLD
D0877: Bert Graves Mallard Hen Decoy, Circa 2Q, 20C
Hollow-bodied, glass-eyed mallard hen decoy by G. Bert Graves (1880-1956), Peoria, Illinois, circa 2nd Q, 20th C. Graves was named by William F. Mackey, Jr., a foremost decoy historian, as one of the first four of Midwestern (Illinois River) hand decoy makers, along with Charles Walker, Robert Elliston and Charles Perdew. A professional carpenter and boat builder, he went into the production of quality decoys in the mid-1920s, if not sooner, and continued their production until 1944 when he left Peoria for the West Coast. The decoy is in original paint with several small area of flaking and touchup to a small professional tail chip repair. Measuring approximately 17" long, 7" tall, and 6" wide, it is missing the Graves keel weight. SOLD
M361: Miniature North Carolina Preening Decoy, Circa 2Q, 20C
Rare miniature preening or sleeping duck decoy carving by Charles Caswell "Charlie Mac" McWilliams (1892-1972) of Ocracoke, NC, circa 2nd Q, 20th C. He was a guide at the legendary Green Island Hunting Club before it burned to the ground in 1933. in 1921, the schooner Carroll A. Deering ran aground off Cape Hatteras with all crew members apparently lost. "Charlie Mac" was rumored to have used wood from the shipwreck in making his decoys. Because this cedar example was left unpainted, it is difficult to tell what species it represents; however, as the hunt club was noted for its redheads, Canada geese and brant, I am guessing this miniature may be a redhead. Roughly half scale, it measures 9 1/2" from tail tip to breast and has carved wing outlines. It is signed "C. C. McWilliams, Ocracoke, N. C." on the bottom. McWilliams later was a well known local figure, serving as the mailman in Ocracoke for many years. SOLD
D0878: Exceptional Early Wood Pigeon Decoy, Yorkshire, UK
Exceptional and rare wood pigeon decoy by an unknown maker, Yorkshire, UK, circa 1900. Solid-bodied decoy with glass eyes and a cast metal bill. The paint is artfully accomplished and has achieved a superb patina. There are several tight cracks around the neck, but thet are quite stable and do not detract from the overall appearance of the decoy (See 5th and 6th photos below). There is also an excellent professional repair to the left edge of the tail (see 7th photo below). The decoy measures 13" in length. The Yorkshire area produced some of the finest early wood pigeon decoys extant with this being a superb example. Known makers include Robert Lange, Mr. Wilson and Robert Sainz. The works of two unidentified makers can also be recognized, including the maker of this decoy. I’ve seen fewer than a half dozen examples by this maker and believe his work to be among the rarest of the Yorkshire school. Stand not included. SALE PENDING
D0876: Mechanical English Wood Pigeon Decoy, Circa 1930s
Rare flying mechanical English wood pigeon decoy by an unknown maker, circa 1930s. I am aware of only one other early mechanical decoy, called a Bendecoy, that was somewhat similar but battery-powered. It was patented in 1932, roughly around the same time this one was made. This decoy consists of a wooden frame body (top and bottom plates) with extendable wooden wings and a rather ingenious operating mechanism sandwiched between the body halves. The shaped top plate of the decoy was covered with canvas and painted to reduce the glare sometimes seen with only a painted wood surface. A roughly carved wooden head with painted eyes was attached separately. The decoy was operated in the field by means of a spring-loaded lever extending from then rear of the decoy to which a string would be attached. By pulling on the string, the hunter could make the wings extend and retract, adding a realistic motion to his decoy rig. As the force applied to the string necessary to achieve the flapping action would necessarily be relatively firm, I suspect the rather substantial steel post attached to the bottom of the decoy was meant to be set into a hole drilled into the top of a fence post or other firmly affixed supporting base. The decoy is larger than most, measuring 17” in length and 5 1/2” across the back. It is in original paint with some soiling and wear to the canvas, particularly at the end of the tail and at the lower edges of the top plate. SALE PENDING
D0874: Pair of BURBO Wood Pigeon Decoys, Circa 2Q, 20C
Set of two paper mache wood pigeons, circa early 1st quarter, 20th century. While these decoys are unmarked, another example exists that is known to be marked "BURBO", as sold by West and Son, Gunsmiths, Retford, UK. That partnership was dissolved in 1908. There are also unmarked cast metal examples of these decoys known. I suspect that the cast metal examples may have proven to be too expensive to manufacture, resulting in those decoys being used as forms from which the paper mache models were later made. I’ve seen several paper mache examples in the past, but none as nice as these. Rigors of weather and the hunt took there toll on many of these more fragile decoys. In original paint, there is flaking to the primer on the glass-eyed bodies and heads. While the bodies were made entirely of heavy paper, soaked in an adherent and laid over the cast metal forms, the heads appear to consist of small doweled wooden forms, left in place and overlaid with paper mache finishes as well. There is light shot scarring on both birds, attesting to their field use. These are large decoys, measuring 15” in length and 6” in width. Meant to be set directly on the ground, they also measure 6” from the hollow bottoms to the crowns of the heads. As can be seen photos, the heads can be rotated to any position, giving a more realistic appearance to the spread of decoys.
Price: $375.00
