Decoy-Dux | email info@decoy-dux.com | phone: 865.458.6186 | site terms & conditions - contact me - sitemap
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.
M353: Joe Klein Cock Ruffed Grouse, Circa 1950s
Excellent cock ruffed grouse carved in half-scale by Leo J. "Joe" Klein, Wilcox, PA, circa 1950s. Klein was known for his elaborately carved and painted ducks, turkeys, woodcocks and other upland game birds. This carved grouse has relief-carved wings, feet and eyes. The original feather paint is intricately detailed and boldly applied. The bird measures almost 10" in length, stands 6.5" high (exclusive of the base) and is 4" wide. The carving is in mint condition other than for a tiny paint chip to the very tip of the bill. A partial sticker from the souvenir shop at East Branch Dam in Elk River State Park just east of Wilcox where Klein sold some of his work remains on the base.
D0849: Charles Rayle Pintail Hen, Aberdeen, Washinton, Circa 1910
Rare hollow glass-eyed pintail hen by by Charles Rayle, Aberdeen, Washington, circa 1910. According to Wildfowl Decoys Of The Pacific Coast by Miller and Hanson, pgs. 64-65 & 67, Rayle made the finest decoys in the Gray's Harbor region of Washington's southwest coast. His decoys, as typical for the area, were hollow, imposing in size (this one is 22" long) and made of red cedar. Although there is disagreement among some local collectors and residents as to whether or not Rayle actually carved these decoys, there is little dispute that they were the finest the area had to offer. Structurally excellent, this decoy is in near-mint well-blended original paint with Rayle's unusual but distinctive "lumpy" bill style. Rayle is believed to have carved roughly 100 mallards, pintails, canvasbacks and brant for use at Grays Harbor's South Bay and Laidlaw Island Clubs. The decoy has an old and very light protective coat of shellac or varnish. The original paint is a little dark for this species but appears lighter and has a great amount of feather detail when seen in daylight. There is a pintail hen by by Charles Pratsch pictured on page 67 of the book referenced above with very similar coloration and paint pattern. SOLD
D0848: Important Wood Pigeon Decoy By Mr. Wright, Circa late 1800s
Excellent and historically important early wood pigeon decoy in original condition by Mr. Wright (first name unknown)from the Yorkshire area, circa late 1800s. The decoys from this region encompass some of the earliest and finest ever produced in the United Kingdom. Unfortunately, very little is known about the Yorkshire decoys and carvers. Until this decoy came to light, the only names associated with this area were those of Robert Lange and Robert Sainz. This decoy, however, had the name "Wright" inscribed into the paint under the tail while the paint was still wet, a very strong indication that Mr. Wright was the maker and I shall, in the future, refer to him as such. A solid-bodied decoy with glass eyes, a pronounced breast, a carved mandible and a thickened tail, it measures 12 3/4" in length. I've seen other examples by Wright that had applied wings with raised wingtips, incised feather patterns and fluted tails that I believe are somewhat later than this example. SOLD
D0845/D0846: Rare Pair of Old Saybrook Wildfowler Green-Winged Teal Decoys, Circa 1939
Highly collectible pair of solid cedar green-winged teal by Old Saybrook Wildfowler of Old Saybrook, CT. As detailed in Wildfowler Decoys by Richard Cowan and Dick LaFountain, the fine-line bill separation and raised neckseats indicate these decoys were made somewhere between 1939 and 1941. Each measuring only 12 1/2" in length, 5" in width and 4 1/2" in height, the decoys are in original paint other than for touchup to two age splits on the drake that have been professionally filled. The first runs the length of the back while the much smaller second crack is to the left of the head. There are similarly located but tighter splits on the hen that have not been filled or touched up. As seen in the last photo, the very tip of the bill of the hen has been slightly blunted. The heads of both are attached to the bodies by means of 1/2" dowels extending through the crowns of the heads to the bases of the decoys. Both birds have an old thin coating of clear sealer such as shellac. Missing the factory keels, the decoys are unstamped. According to knowledgeable Wildfowler collectors, green-winged teal decoys by Wildfowler of this vintage and species are extremely rare with no photos of known examples published. A matched pair is exceptionally desirable. SOLD
M197: Pair of Tufted Titmice by World Champion Ernie Muehlmatt, Circa 1974
Original carving of a pair of full-sized (5 1/2") tufted titmice in mint condition by Ernie Muehlmatt of Salisbury, Maryland, circa 1974. Exceptionally fine original paint with great musculature, wing and feather carving and ultra-realistic painted eyes. Designed to hang on a wall, the carving is inscribed in ink on the back, "By E.F. Muehlmatt, Titmouse, 11/74". Muehlmatt (1927-2016), three-time Ward World Champion (1979, 1981, 1984), began carving in 1967 and was a master of life-size and miniature decorative wood sculpture, becoming one of the most talented, sought after and popular carvers in wildfowl art. His work can be found in the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, Salisbury, Maryland, and the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, Wisconsin. He is a Member of the Carvers' Hall of Fame and owned and operated Muehlmatt Studios in Salisbury. SOLD
M350: Old Saybrook Wildfowler Mallard Decoy Bookends
Pair of mallard bookends by Wildfowler Decoys of Old Saybrook, CT, circa early 1940s. Beautifully carved full-sized heads and breasts (7" high) of a mallard drake and hen mounted on weighted walnut bases with felt backs and bottoms, exhibiting finely-cut nail, mandible and face separations. The hen is in original condition with light paint flaking on the crown of the head and on the bill. The drake is likewise in original paint except that the grey-green area of the shoulder on the left side of the carving has been touched up. There is also light wear to the front edge of the drake's bill. SOLD
M352: Miniature Scaup Drake Decoy, Oscar W. Peterson, Circa 1930
Outstanding 5.75" miniature scaup drake decoy in excellent original paint with very slight craquelure by Oscar W. "Pelee" Peterson of Cadillac, Michigan, circa 1930. A very folky carving with oversized glass eyes, it is is lightly textured and has a thin protective coating of varnish which I believe is original. There are several small paint chips, one on the left side of the neck and another in front of the right speculum. The paint at the tip of the bill is also chipped or worn. Peterson was born in 1887 to Swedish immigrant parents in Grayling, Michigan, before moving to the Cadillac area when he was 8. He spent much of his youth hunting and fishing and later opened a landscaping business with his brother, George. Although it is not exactly known when he started to carve, it is believed that he started around 1900 in order to supplement his income as a landscaper and general handyman. He sold his carvings from his home as well as in many bait shops around the area. Approaching carving as a business, Peterson was extremely prolific, creating more than 15,000 works of art including fish decoys, duck decoys, plaques and other decorative items. Estimates are that around 1,500 to 2,000 of his art form are still in existence. His works are the subject of the book "Michigan's Master Carver: Oscar W. Peterson, 1887-1951" by Ronald J. Fritz and can be found in the American Art Museum of the Smithsonian, the Brooklyn Museum and have also been seen numerous high profile exhibits. SOLD
M351: Oscar Peterson Miniature Blue-Winged Teal Decoy, Circa 1930
Outstanding 6.5" miniature blue-winged teal hen decoy in near-mint original paint with very slight craquelure by Oscar W. "Pelee" Peterson of Cadillac, Michigan, circa 1930. A very folky carving with oversized glass eyes, it is is lightly textured and has a thin protective coating of varnish which I believe is original. The initials "TWO" are written on the bottom. Peterson was born in 1887 to Swedish immigrant parents in Grayling, Michigan, before moving to the Cadillac area when he was 8. He spent much of his youth hunting and fishing and later opened a landscaping business with his brother, George. Although it is not exactly known when he started to carve, it is believed that he started around 1900 in order to supplement his income as a landscaper and general handyman. He sold his carvings from his home as well as in many bait shops around the area. Approaching carving as a business, Peterson was extremely prolific, creating more than 15,000 works of art including fish decoys, duck decoys, plaques and other decorative items. Estimates are that around 1,500 to 2,000 of his art form are still in existence. His works are the subject of the book "Michigan's Master Carver: Oscar W. Peterson, 1887-1951" by Ronald J. Fritz and can be found in the American Art Museum of the Smithsonian, the Brooklyn Museum and have also been seen numerous high profile exhibits. SOLD
