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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.
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
M378: Tom Schroeder Miniature Pheasant Carving, Circa 1940s
Excellent carving of a miniature cock pheasant in the form of a desk caddy or ashtray by Tom Schroeder (1885-1976) of Detroit, Michigan, circa 1940s. The pheasant with wire legs, measuring 5 1/2" from bill to tip of tail, is perched on a 4 1/2" diameter wooden well with felt on the bottom, designed to hold small items such as coins or paper clips. The piece stands 4 1/2" high, including the well base. It is in richly colored original detailed feather paint with a nice patina. The very tip of the bill has been repaired with touch up to the entire bill. There is also a tight crack in the neck of the bird.
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
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
