Vintage Hand-Carved and Hand-Painted Black Duck Decoy

Offered is an original 20th century wooden decoy, which is hand-carved and hand-painted. The decoy has a swooped white head; Its back, breast, and belly are painted solid black. A rope decoy line and metal strap weight are attached to the decoy.  

Prior to English settlement in the 1600s, Native Americans crafted bird and animal decoys for hunting out of natural materials like mud, straw, reeds, animal feathers and fur. Archeologists excavating in the Humboldt Range of western Nevada found 11 ancient hunting decoys that were 1,000 years old, in 1924. European colonists emulated and built upon this hunting tactic.

From the mid-19th century through the early-20th century, the use of painted, wooden, hollow or solid shorebird, goose, and duck decoys came into fashion among bird hunters. While no longer used today due to advances in decoy materials and technology, these wooden duck decoys are now considered highly collectible as both relics of the American-born hunting tradition as well as beautiful examples of folk art.

CONDITION:

Original wooden decoy. Paint is in good to fine condition and original to the decoys. Cracking and chipping of paint and pitting of wood exists, yet the decoy is structurally sound.  With rope decoy line and metal strap weight attached. Metal plate is affixed to bottom of the decoy, by screws, and labelled "NO 58."

Dimensions: 5 1/2" H x 12" W x 5 1/2"D.

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.