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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.
D0980: Mason Premier "Back Bay" Bluebill
Mason Factory Premier "Back Bay" bluebill hen decoy, Detroit, Michigan, circa 1915. These oversized (19" L x 7.5" W x 7.5" H), flat-bottomed, solid-bodied decoys with Premier heads were made for use in the Back Bay area of Virginia where they were subjected to the roughest of conditions. Their rugged use resulted in very few surviving in original paint. This example is in a mixture original paint with some touchup, primarily around the neck area. Filler was added at the junction of the neck and body, perhaps by the factory in the making. There is a cast iron weight on the bottom that may have been made by one of the foundries in the Virginia/North Carolina area. The eyes, which do appear to be period Mason eyes, have either been reset or replaced. Overall, the decoy exhibits the wear to be expected from use in a harsh environment. Nonetheless, it is a very nice example in better-than-average condition for decoys of this model. SOLD
D0979: Early New Jersey Yellowlegs, Possibly Barkelow Family
Early forked-tail lesser yellowlegs decoy bearing a strong resemblance to some of the work by Joel Barkelow (1853-1931) or another member of the Barkelow family, Forked River, New Jersey, circa last quarter 19th to early 1st quarter 20th century. The decoy has painted eyes and retains its original bill which was damaged and repaired at some point. Measuring 9-1/2†in length, other than for repaint to the repaired area of the bill, the shorebird is in original paint with a finely patinated surface. Stand included. SOLD
D0977: Early New Jersey Sandpiper or Sanderling Decoy
Early "flattie" sandpiper or sanderling by an unknown maker from New Jersey, circa 1st quarter, 20th century. The decoy, measuring 5-1/2" from tip of bill to tip of tail and 3/4" in thicknesses, is in excellent original stippled paint with a pleasing patina and minimal wear. It retains its original wire bill and has painted eyes. Stand included. SOLD
D0978: Verity-Style Red-Backed Sandpiper Decoy
Nicely done contemporary red-backed sandpiper by Jamie Reason, Mastic Beach, New York, done in the Verity style, circa 4th quarter, 20th century. The fat bodied bird has carved and painted eyes as well as deeply carved shoulders and wings typical of the Verity decoys of the late 1800s from Seaford, Long Island. The detailed original feather paint has been “aged’ nicely. It is signed on the bottom (see last photo) with what appears to be a “JR†above the letter “X†or Roman numeral X. The bill is original. The carving measures 7†from tip of bill to tip of tail. Stand included. SOLD
D0978: Verity-Style Red-Backed Sandpiper Decoy
Nicely done contemporary red-backed sandpiper by Jamie Reason, Mastic Beach, New York, done in the Verity style, circa 4th quarter, 20th century. The fat bodied bird has carved and painted eyes as well as deeply carved shoulders and wings typical of the Verity decoys of the late 1800s from Seaford, Long Island. The detailed original feather paint has been “aged’ nicely. It is signed on the bottom (see last photo) with what appears to be a “JR†above the letter “X†or Roman numeral X. The bill is original. The carving measures 7†from tip of bill to tip of tail. Stand included. SOLD
D0975: Fine Red Knot, Chief Cuffee, Long island, NY, Circa Early 1900s
Fine red knot in summer plumage by Chief Eugene Cuffee (1866 -1941), Shinnecock Reservation, Southhampton, Long Island, New York. An early classic Cuffee carving showing strong John Dilley influence with extended wingtips and carved wing outlines, it is in very detailed original feather paint with its original bill. There is some light paint flaking on the breast of the decoy. A large percentage of these decoys have been found without the carved wing outlines and with their bottoms planed so they would sit upright on wooden bases, perhaps as book ends. This decoy is original with no such alteration. The eyes are shallow drilled holes, painted black on the inside. The decoy measures 9-1/2†in length from tip of bill to tip of tail. SOLD
D0974: Preening Bluebill. Charlotte County, New Brunswick, 2 Q, 20 C
Folky preening bluebill by an unknown carver from Charlotte County, New Brunswick, circa second quarter, twentieth century. Another example by this maker is pictured on pg. 48 of Traditions in Wood by Patricia Fleming. Measuring 11 1/2†in length, the decoy is in original condition showing light flaking and wear. It has deeply carved raised wings, carved primaries, a fluted tail and glass eyes. SOLD
M386: Clapper Rail, Bill Keim, Neptune City, New Jersey, Dated 1977
Expertly detailed clapper rail by William "Bill" Keim, Neptune City, New Jersey, dated 1977 and signed “W. Keim†along with the species of bird and Keim’s address. The bird is intricately carved with primary, secondary and scapular feathering, dropped wing tips and overall feather texturing. With outstretched neck and its head turned 30 degrees to the left, it is in fine original paint other than for touchup at a professional bill repair. The wire-legged, glass-eyed carving stands 12-3/4" in height including the driftwood base. The rail itself is 11" long from tip of tail to tip of bill. Bill was a hunting partner of Charlie Birdsall, owner of Wildfowler's Point Pleasant and painted for the company in the 1970s. SOLD
