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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.
D0967: Unknown English Wood Pigeon Decoy, Circa 1920s - 1930s
English wood pigeon decoy by an unknown maker, circa 1920s - 1930s. This decoy was most likely made by a hunter for his personal use. It is solid-bodied with glass eyes and deeply carved raised wing tips. The paint displays a nice patina and is original other than for touchup to the bill which has had a repair to a 1/3" chip at its tip and some old strengthening to areas on the red breast.. There are several splashes/drips of red paint from the breast on the back and side of the decoy. Stand included.
M383: Exceptional Bill Gibian Drop-Wing Curlew, Late 4Q, 20C
Exceptional drop-wing curlew in near-mint condition by William "Bill" Gibian (born 1946), Onancock, Virginia, circa late 4th quarter, 20th century. Originally from New Jersey, Bill been carving full-time after moving to Virginia's Eastern Shore in 1981. His work is often quite animated, as exemplified by this carving with its dropped wing with carved primary and secondary feathers. Measuring 15" from tip of tail to tip of bill, the other wingtip is raised with carved primaries. The well sculpted bill is inserted through the head and splined from the rear. As is expected of his work, the quality of the original paint attests to his standing as one of today's finest painters. Working without patterns, each of his works is an "original". Stand included. SOLD
M386: H. V. Shourds II Preening Yellowlegs, Dated 1997
Mint preening glass-eyed yellowlegs by Harry V. Shourds II, Seaville, New Jersey, signed and dated 1997. Born in 1930, he is a third-generation decoy carver. His grandfather, Harry Vinuckson Shourds, and father, Harry M. Shourds, were two of New Jersey's greatest decoy makers. Despite this legacy, Shourds II has developed his own distinctive style. Carving full-time since 1962, he has also written extensively on decoys and their construction. This carving is in detailed original paint with no repairs or damage. Stand included. SOLD
M385: David Walker Curlew, Havre de Grace, Circa 4Q, 20C
Upright curlew with split tail, glass eyes and 5" iron bill by David Walker of Havre de Grace, Maryland, circa 4th quarter, 20th century. He founded Walker Decoys in 1977, carrying on the Susquehanna Flats decoy tradition utilizing skills he learned from Madison Mitchell and Jimmy Pierce. Measuring 11" from the crown of the head to the tip of the tail, this curlew is in excellent detailed feather paint with carved wing and shoulder outlines. It is branded "Walker" on the bottom. Stand included. SOLD
D0970: Early Massachusetts Yellowlegs Decoy, Circa 4Q 19C
Very nice split-tail yellowlegs decoy with painted eyes by an unknown Massachusetts carver, circa late 1800s. The decoy is in original paint with a pleasing patina except for touchup at the replaced bill. The 12" long decoy is in excellent structural condition other than a small chip at the right edge of the tail. A hole was drilled through the rear end of the decoy to string it along with others for easy transport into the field. As can best be seen in the last two photos, the head has probably been off but skillfully and smoothly reattached some time ago. The bill is a more recent professional replacement. Stand included. SOLD
M384: Homer Lawrence/Sally Riffe Lesser Yellowlegs, Circa 3Q, 20C
Outstanding lesser yellowlegs by Homer Lawrence (1889-1968), Norwalk, Connecticut. Lawrence, along with Sally Riffe, created their magnificent sculptures in Lawrence's shop, "Birds in Wood", located on Connnecticut Avenue in S. Norwalk, during the 1950s and early 1960s. Lawrence carved the birds with field-collected examples in hand. Using the same examples, Riffe painted the birds, capturing the true colors and patterns in displays that rival the best works of such masters such as Elmer Crowell, John Dilley and the Ward brothers. As was typical of their work, Homer's name is carved into the base with "S. Riffe" marked in ink below. This yellowlegs, measuring 10.5" in length and standing 11.5" tall, is in incredibly detailed near-mint feather paint. Its head, with high quality glass eyes, is turned sharply to the right, and the bird is standing on one leg. The only "flaws" are a tiny speck of paint missing from the tip of the bill and a very small dent in the tip of the tail. SOLD
M383: Exceptional Bill Gibian Drop-Wing Curlew, Late 4Q, 20C
Exceptional drop-wing curlew in near-mint condition by William "Bill" Gibian (born 1946), Onancock, Virginia, circa late 4th quarter, 20th century. Originally from New Jersey, Bill been carving full-time after moving to Virginia's Eastern Shore in 1981. His work is often quite animated, as exemplified by this carving with its dropped wing with carved primary and secondary feathers. Measuring 15" from tip of tail to tip of bill, the other wingtip is raised with carved primaries. The well sculpted bill is inserted through the head and splined from the rear. As is expected of his work, the quality of the original paint attests to his standing as one of today's finest painters. Working without patterns, each of his works is an "original". Stand included. SOLD
D0968: Unknown Yorkshire Wood Pigeon, Circa Late 1800s
Very nice wood pigeon decoy made by an unknown carver from England's Yorkshire area, circa late 1800s. It shares many characteristics with the carvings of Yorkshire's Robert Lange from the same time period, including white glass taxidermy eyes, applied raised wings and a similarly shaped body. More uniquely, the head is narrower than most and the tail flips up slightly at its tip. The original paint is nicely patinated and slightly muted in tone, showing moderate wear. In the field, it did forget to duck once with shot scars on the right wing and breast adding to its allure. The decoy retains its original bill. Stand included. SOLD
