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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.
D0950: Ephraim Hildreth Plover Decoy, Circa 3Q, 19C
Rare solid-bodied plover decoy with painted eyes by Ephraim Hildreth (1835-1915), one of North America's earliest known decoy makers, circa 3rd quarter, 19th century. Hildreth, a farmer, grain dealer and gunner from Rio Grande, just north of Cape May, New Jersey, began making his duck and shorebird decoys prior to the Civil War. His shorebirds, folk art at its best, were known locally as "camel heads" and are recognized for their original and geometric designs with uplifted heads and dropped tails. Measuring 10 1/4" in length, the decoy is in original paint with light wear. The bill may be original but could be an excellent professional replacement. The decoy has been lightly hit by shot, primarily on its right side. Ex-collection, Charlie Hunter III. Stand included. SOLD
D0947: Trulock & Harriss Wood Pigeon Decoy, Circa Late 1800s
Classic wood pigeon decoy from the famous gunsmith firm of Trulock & Harriss, Suffolk, England, circa 1880s. Their decoys are considered to be the premier examples of English wood pigeons known. This example is finely crafted with detailed shoulder, wing and tail carving, glass eyes and molded lead bill. The softly-blended paint with an excellent is strong and original other than some touch up paint on the bill. The decoy exhibits overall feather carving with the breast and throat feathers carved in a checkered pattern, deeply carved edging on the wing coverts, carved and raised primaries and a fluted tail. The head is turned a bit to the left and uplifted slightly. The underside of the tail retains a portion of an original woven textile covering that is seen on a number of the Trulock and Harriss decoys. One wing tip is blunted. It is believed that this covering was meant to add strength to the rather fragile tail. The decoy is structurally sound with the lower portion of the belly being laminated to the body of the bird. Although who carved these decoys for Trulock and Harriss is not known, a strong argument can be made that the birds were made by the same craftsmen tasked with making the gunstocks for the gunsmith's primary product, perhaps on a seasonal basis or as a filler during slack periods.
M375: R. D. Wilson Mini Canada Goose Decoy
Excellent miniature swimming Canada goose with its head reaching to the right by R. D. Wilson of Little Rock, Arkansas, signed, remarqued and dated 1990, along with the notation that the carving took first place in its class in the Pacific Southwest Waterfowl Association show that year. The carving measures 11 3/4" in length with highly detailed raised carving and feather paint. It is in original paint other than for touchup to a repair to the extended wing tips and to a small chip on the left edge of the tail. R. D., who began carving in 1985, became a full time carver in 1995, specializing in designing and making original contemporary antique style decoys and sporting art. SOLD
B073: Gunnin' Birds by Kroghie Andresen
Difficult-to-find signed 1st edition copy of "Gunnin' Birds" by Kroghie Andresen in like new condition, featuring decoys from his personal collection. Published by Sparks Publications, January 1, 2008. An early decision to limit his collection to Back Bay, Virginia, and North Carolina decoys led to a very specialized collection. Andresen always tried to document the history and provenance of his decoys. The lack of information on many North Carolina decoys led him to research many previously unidentified carvers as well as those that are well known. This research and thirty years of collection decoys have culminated with this book. 388 pages.
ISBN-10: 0615208975
ISBN-13: 978-0-615208978
SOLD
D0942: Torry Ward Preening Canada Goose Decoy
Fine and graceful hollow-bodied Canada goose decoy with glass eyes carved in a preening or sleeping pose by Torry Ward (1924-1990), Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, Canada, circa 1970s. Measuring 25" in length, this sleek carving is in excellent original paint with a pleasing patina. It is signed "Torry Ward" on the bottom. SOLD
D0943: New Jersey Yellowlegs Decoy, Circa 1900
Excellent full-bodied yellowlegs decoy by an unknown maker from New Jersey, circa late 1800s to early 1900s. The early carving is in original paint with minor wear to the high points. It has carved wing outlines and retains its original bill. The black glass eyes are unusual in that they appear to be in an elevated gem-like setting. The decoy is probably from the Cape May area. Stand included. SOLD
M374: Matt Pierce Checkered Duck Call
Exceptionally nice duck call by Matt Pierce of Dos Palos, California. It is hand-made with overall raised panel checkering (eight panels each on the barrel and the stopper). The call is in perfect working order. SOLD
M373: W. J. Ruppel Company Miniature Feeding Canada Goose
Excellent glass-eyed miniature feeding Canada goose by The W. J. Ruppel Company, Portland, Oregon, circa 3rd quarter, 20th century. Walter J. Ruppel (1902-1999) founded his company in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, in the early to mid-1930s before moving to Portland in 1942 where he continued making decoys and miniatures until the 1990s. Many of his decoys were sold directly to customers, but he also provided decoys to Abercrombie & Fitch, VanLangerke & Antoine, Marshall Fields and the Gorky Co. He advertised in all of the national sporting magazines as well. His company will go down as one of the more successful factory decoy manufacturers. This balsa bird is in near-mint original condition with detailed feather paint and bill carving. It measures 7" in length and 3" in width. This carving retains a portion of an Abercrombie & Fitch decal. The bird was formerly in the collection of Mort Kramer collection and bears the collection stamp. SOLD
