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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.
D0955: Swimming Canada Goose Decoy, Probably New Jersey
Very nice hollow-bodied swimming Canada goose decoy by an unknown carver from the mid-Atlantic region (probably New Jersey), circa 2nd quarter, 20th century. The body of the decoy was roughed out and finished by spoke shave with the facets of the cuts remaining visible. The decoy appears to have seen little use, but there is separation at the seam of the body and bottom board. It is in original paint other than for touchup at the around the neck seat. Measuring 27" in length, it is a rigmate to D0954 listed and available separately. SOLD
D0954: Unknown Mid-Atlantic Region Preening Canada Goose, Circa 2Q, 20C
Very nice hollow-bodied preening Canada goose decoy by an unknown carver from the mid-Atlantic region (probably New Jersey), circa 2nd quarter, 20th century. The body of the decoy was roughed out and finished by spoke shave with the facets of the cuts remaining visible. The decoy appears to have seen little use, but there is separation at the seam of the body and bottom board. It is in original paint other than for touchup at the junction of the head and body. Measuring 21" in length, it is a rigmate to D0955 listed and available separately. SOLD
M379: Exceptional Great Horned Owl Decoy, Circa Mid-20th Century
Exceptional great horned owl decoy by an unknown carver, circa mid-20th century. Probably influenced by Herter's popular owls of the mid-1940s to mid-1950s but made from cedar rather than balsa, this fine example has deeply carved wing and shoulder outlines, a claw beak, leather ears and glass eyes. A large decoy (20" high, 9" wide, 6" deep and weighing 7 pounds) showing only light wear, it is in original feather paint with no repairs or touch up. There is a mounting plate attached under the legs as this decoy was made for the field, not the mantle. There is a sticker on the back of the decoy attesting to the inclusion of this fine carving in an auction conducted by Richard Oliver in the 1980s or early 1990s. Owl decoys were used by hunters to bring crows, their mortal enemies, into shotgun range. Stand included. SOLD
D0957: Joseph Zender Mallard Hen Decoy, Chicago, Illinois, Circa 1930s
Rare and excellent solid-bodied tack-eye mallard hen by Joseph A. Zender (1888-1960), Chicago, Illinois, circa 1930s. Zender, an avid hunter and member of the Peru Gun Club, carved approximately 200 decoys over a 15-year span beginning in 1929. Round-bodied and a bit chunky, his rather distinctive decoys were painted in elaborate feather patterns. This decoy, showing light to moderate wear with some paint rubs and flaking and measuring 14.5" in length, has its head turned nearly 45 degrees to the right and is in highly detailed original paint with light craquelure and two very short and tight shrinkage cracks in the back of the head and neck. Neither crack goes completely through. The carving probably has a faint protective coating of shellac, but if so, it is not visible to the eye. The original weight is still in place. The decoy, possibly made for use on the rougher water of Lake Michigan, also has a poured lead weight that is original to it placed in its bottom for additional ballast. The last photo shows this decoy along with a drake by Zender, not included. See D0956 available separately. SOLD
D0956: Joseph Zender Mallard Drake Decoy, Chicago, Illinois, Circa 1930s
Excellent solid-bodied, tack-eye mallard drake by Joseph A. Zender (1888-1960), Chicago, Illinois, circa 1930s. Zender, an avid hunter and member of the Peru Gun Club, carved approximately 200 decoys over a 15-year span beginning in 1929. Round-bodied and a bit chunky, his rather distinctive decoys were painted in elaborate feather patterns. This decoy, measuring 15.5" in length, has its head turned roughly 30 degrees to the left and is in highly detailed original paint showing minimal wear with light craquelure and with no structural flaws. It has a faint protective coating of shellac which is visible only on the white areas of the decoy. The original weight is still in place. The decoy, possibly made for use on the rougher water of Lake Michigan, also has a poured led weight that is original to it placed in its back for additional ballast. The last photo shows this decoy along with a rather rare hen by Zender, not included. See D0957 available separately. SOLD
D0953: Classic Delaware River Black Duck Decoy, John McLoughlin, Circa 1930s
Well-executed classic hollow-bodied Delaware River black duck decoy by John "Mickey" McLoughlin (1911-1985), Bordentown, New Jersey. This is one of Mickey's much-sought-after working decoys, circa 1930s. The decoy has deeply carved raised wing tips and detailed bill carving and is in original scratch-feather paint with minor to moderate wear. Measuring 17 " in length, 6.5" in width and standing 7" high at the head, it was signed on the base by McLoughlin at a later date. SOLD
M377: Excellent Miniature Pheasant, Circa 1930s
Excellent miniature cock pheasant by an unknown carver, circa 1930s. Carved in a curvilinear form, it measures 5” from tail tip to bill and stands 4” high, including its mahogany base. The carving is in richly colored original detailed feather paint with a nice patina. Paint is chipped from the very tip of the bill, and there is some light flaking of the paint around the neck. There appears to be a price of is a price of $3.50 (?) written on the base in pencil. SOLD
Price: $450.00
M376: Russ Burr Mini Pheasant Pair, Circa 1930s
Exceptional pair of ringneck pheasants by Russ P. Burr (1887-1955), Hingham, Massachusetts, circa 1930s. Burr was especially well known for his detailed lifelike carving skills, but his painting prowess was less accomplished and often appeared rushed. This pair, however, is contrary to that perception. Not only where the birds skillfully carved, but the paint was expertly applied in a very richly colored, detailed and pleasing feather pattern, expertly capturing the beauty of this species. Other than a small amount of professional touch up to some flaking on the neck of the male, the piece is in original condition. There are also a very few tiny and nearly imperceptible paint chips to high points and edges of the two birds. The male is 4.5" in length while the female is 5" long. Overall, the piece measures roughly 9.5" in width, 3.5" in height and 4.5" in depth. It is stamped "Russ P. Burr, Hingham, Mass." on the bottom of the driftwood base. SOLD
