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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.
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
M381: Early Miniature Massachusetts Feeding Willet
Miniature feeding willet or yellowlegs, circa 2nd quarter, 20th century. The carving bears a very close resemblance to a feeding willet by Tom Wilson (1863-1940), Ipswich, Massachusetts, pictured on page 21 of "Massachusetts Masters" published by the Ward Museum. This carving has raised and extended wingtips, carved wing outlines, an open bill and small taxidermy glass eyes. The legs are multiple strands of twisted wire. It has apparently been near a fire that somewhat damaged and discolored the paint, making it difficult to tell its true age. SOLD
D0951: Rare Stephan Badlam Oldsquaw Decoy, Circa 1875
Rare Stephan Badlam (1822-1892) oldsquaw decoy, circa 1875. Badlam, from Dorchester, Massachusetts, came from a family of Boston cabinetmakers. The tack-eyed decoy with carved nostrils and mandible is in original paint with moderate flaking and wear. There are several small spots of touchup on the neck aa well as some old filler on the underside from before the decoy was varnished. The decoy is darkened slightly by an old coat of varnish and is branded "S.B." on the underside where an inlet lead weight is held in place by two hand-wrought nails. It measures 11" in length. Badlam's decoys were unknown to collectors until a rig of seven were featured in Richard Bourne's July 1987 auction. This decoy was Lot No. 94, selling for $3100.00. The consignor's father had purchased them for his own hunting rig from Elizabeth Nichols, Badlam's great niece, in 1948. Jackson Parker, reporting on the auction, wrote that the Badlam decoys raised questions of who made them and when. All bore the block "S.B." brand, similar to one appearing on a table from the Badlam workshop, but were made with differences in form and finish, leading collectors to question whether they were made by the same carver over a period of time or by different carvers from the workshop. Regardless, they will be referred to as Badlam decoys until evidence to the contrary emerges. One of these decoys was pictured on the 1999 Massachusetts Waterfowl Stamp. SOLD
D0962: Robert Lange Wood Pigeon Decoy, Circa 1890s
Very nice wood pigeon decoy by Robert Lange, Yorkshire, UK, circa 1890s. Lange's decoys were limited in production and are some of the finest early decoys the UK has to offer. This example is his slick-sided model with no wing or shoulder carving. Exhibiting an excellent patina, it is in strong original paint showing only minor wear with mottled breast, neatly scalloped neck patches and fluid but precisely applied wing markings. A solid-bodied decoy with high quality glass eyes, it measures 12" in length and is roughly 3" thick. There is a chip missing on the tail, and the bill is a professional replacement. Stand included. SOLD
Price: $795.00
D0958: Grainger McKoy (Sumter, S.C.) Canvasback Drake Decoy, Dated 1967
Hollow canvasback drake decoy with painted eyes by noted carver and sculptor Grainger McKoy, Sumter, South Carolina, signed and dated. McKoy is recognized as one of America's foremost wildlife sculptors. He has been honored with exhibitions at major museums an galleries and his work is included in public and private collections throughout the country. This decoys an early work by McKoy, carved while he was a student at Clemson University in 1967. It is made from three laminations, measuring 13 1/2" in length, 6" in width and standing 7 1/2" tall at the head. It is in excellent structural condition with the wing tips are carved in outline. The original paint is highly detailed, showing only minor wear. Also included is a copy of "The Sculpture of Grainger McKoy" (James Kilgo, 1999, 64 pages, softcover) signed by McKoy. SOLD
