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A striking rig of decoys by an unknown carver, circa late 2nd to early 3rd quarter of the 20th century. They were found in and are possibly from Suffolk, UK. Each is carved in a different pose, from the rather quizzical decoy on the left to the standard ground decoy in the center to the running decoy on the right. Not only are the poses different, the sizes vary as well, making it most likely that each was made without a master pattern. These differences lead me to the conclusion that the rig was made by a hunter for his own use rather than by a commercial maker that repeatedly carved and painted an inventory for sale. As such, they are folk art at its finest, a synergistic effort of great appeal. The bills were crafted from nylon rather than wood or cast metal. The original paint patterns, while not as practiced as you might find on a commercial product, are nonetheless effective and display a most pleasing patina. The placement of the glass eyes, somewhat out of kilter, only adds to the charm of this group. In the first photo, from left to right, the quizzical decoy (photos 3-7) decoy measures 14" in length and has a replaced nylon bill but is otherwise in original condition. The standard pose ground decoy (photos 8-11) is in completely original condition with paint worn off most of the bill. The final decoy, the runner (photos 12-15), has a replaced nylon bill but is otherwise in original condition. These decoys are not available separately. The stand is included. SOLD
Nice wood pigeon decoy by an unknown English carver, circa 1920s - 1930s. Found in Carmarthen, Wales, UK, it is possibly from that area. The decoy is in very good original condition with painted eyes and carved raised wingtips. This decoy differs from its two rigmates in that the separately carved head is mounted directly on the body rather than mortised in. There is a tight age split running about halfway down the back from the top of the breast and alongside the head with some flaking of neck filler in that area. See next-to-last photo. The stake hole underneath the decoy is fitted with a spring to allow the decoy to move in a breeze. Variations in size, paint, structure and finesse between the three decoys found in this rig lead me to believe that they carved by a hunter for his personal use rather than by a commercial maker. The last photo shows this decoy along with the other two from the same rig, available separately. Stand not included. SOLD
Nice full-boded English wood pigeon decoy by an unknown carver, circa 1920s - 1930s. Found in Carmarthen, Wales, UK, it is possibly from that area. The decoy is in very good original condition with painted eyes, carved raised wingtips and an appealing patina to its polychrome paint. As with its flying rigmate, the head of the 15" long decoy is mortised into the body. The original bill is slightly loose but undamaged. Variations in size, paint, structure and finesse between the three decoys found in this rig lead me to believe that they were carved by a hunter for his personal use rather than by a commercial maker. The last photo shows this decoy along with the other two from the same rig, available separately. Stand not included. SOLD
Scarce hollow English wood pigeon decoy made for the gunsmith firm of H. Trulock & Harriss, London, U.K., circa 1909-1911. Made from a cast and chased aluminum alloy, it was patterned after wooden examples made for the famous gunmaker around the turn of the 20th century. The wooden versions are felt by many collectors to be the best examples of English wood pigeon extant. This decoy,in weathered original paint, was made in three pieces; an upper body, a lower body and a separate head. Cast true to the form of the wooden examples, these decoys have strongly emphasized shoulders and detailed primary and tail feathers. This decoy has three impressed notations on its lower half: "THE TRU-ISS DECOY, PATENT APPLIED No. 21550", "H. TRULOCK HARRISS GUNMAKER" AND “22 BURY STREET, ST. JAMES STREET, LONDON S.W.â€. This address dates the decoy to 1909-1911. Later examples (1911-1916) are stamped "THE TRU-ISS DECOY, HARRISS'S PATENT No. 21550", "H. TRULOCK HARRISS GUNMAKER" AND “PICKERING PLACE, ST. JAMES STREET, LONDONâ€. This decoy varies from the later examples in that the head of this one is stationary rather than spring mounted so that it would bobble. The metal post for setting the decoy in the ground is missing. The pigeon measures 13 1/2" in length, 5" across at the shoulders and roughly 4" in depth. Stand not included. SOLD
Finely crafted and finished early solid-bodied wood pigeon decoy with applied wings, raised wing tips and a full, protruding breast, it shares many characteristics with the carvings attributed to Robert Lange and Robert Sainz (See http://www.woodpigeondecoys.com), both from Yorkshire, characteristics that seem to be common to that area. However, there are just enough differences to make me believe that it was made in the late 1800s to early 1900s by a third carver from that area. The incised primaries on the wings and form of the flared and fluted tail as opposed to the tapered tails most often seen in decoys from this area are unique, while the shapes of the head, bill and full body are not. The decoy, measuring 12.5" in length, is in excellent original paint with very minor wear and a pleasing patina. The bill is a well done professional replacement. In the last photo this decoy is on the right of its rigmate, D0816, listed separately. See my other website, www.woodpigeondecoys.com, dedicated to the identification and documentation of these decoys and their carvers for additional information. SOLD
An excellent early solid-bodied decoy with applied wings, raised wing tips and a full, protruding breast, it shares many characteristics with the carvings attributed to Robert Lange and Robert Sainz (See http://www.woodpigeondecoys.com), both from Yorkshire, characteristics that seem to be common to that area. However, there are just enough differences to make me believe that it was made in the late 1800s to early 1900s by a third carver from that area. The incised primaries on the wings and form of the flared and fluted tail as opposed to the tapered tails most often seen in decoys from this area are unique, while the shapes of the head, bill and full body are not. The decoy, measuring 13" in length, is in original paint with average wear and a professionally replaced bill, wing tip repair and tail repair. In the last photo this decoy is on the left of its rigmate, D0817, listed separately. See my other website, www.woodpigeondecoys.com, dedicated to the identification and documentation of these decoys and their carvers for additional information. SOLD
Feeding wood pigeon decoy by Harry Boddy, Walderslade, Kent, United Kingdom, circa 1935. The bird, painted in fall plumage, is in original paint with moderate flaking and wear. It has screw eyes set in separate grommets to simulate eye rings, a cast metal beak and relief carved shoulders. The pigeon is hollowed from below with an inset metal plate for mounting the decoy on a metal spike (not included). There is a clasp at back of tail to secure the spike. A patent number is ink-stamped on the underside of the tail. The decoy measures 14.5" in length and 4" in width. As with many of the feeding decoys by both Boddy and his protegee, Ted Grace, this decoys was made from two pieces of wood with a convex lower piece of wood nailed to the upper concave piece of the body. As the lower piece had the center cut out to form an elongated "horse collar" hollow, I have to believe this method was found to be easier to accomplish than otherwise hand-hollowing the one-piece decoys from below. No stand included.
Very nice wood pigeon decoy by an unknown English carver, circa 2nd quarter, 20th century. The decoy exhibits characteristics most often seen in carvings from the Suffolk area such as those by Harry Boddy and Ted Grace; however this 15-inch long decoy is slightly larger and fuller-bodied with a thicker head and neck than those of the aforementioned carvers. As with Boddy's and Grace's birds, the front wing and shoulder outlines are cut in; however, this carver continued the lower wing outline along the sides, culminating in a "V" atop the tail. In original paint, also of the typical Suffolk pattern, the decoy has glass eyes. The bill is also original and appears to be carved integrally with the rest of the decoy rather than being carved or cast separately and inset into the head. In the last photo, this decoy is on the left of somewhat similar examples by Harry Boddy (center)and a Ted Grace (right), listed separately. See my other website, www.woodpigeondecoys.com, dedicated to the identification and documentation of these decoys and their carvers for additional information. Stand included. SOLD