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Elmer Crowell, (1862-1952), Carved and Painted Decorative Least Tern
East Harwich, Massachusetts

Crowell was unquestionably the most renowned and among the best decoy and
decorative bird carvers of the late 19th and early 20th century. While simple carved and
painted decoys were successful, there were a few carvers that took their carving and
painting very seriously; Crowell was indeed one of them. He had an extraordinary eye
for sculpted detail and excelled at incredible painted detail. Later in the 20th century
market hunting became illegal, thus the demand for decoys dropped off and carvers
such as Crowell diversified to make a living. Crowell began to make decorative bird
carvings such as this one; life size, half size and quarter size as well as miniature.
Customers acquired carvings directly from Crowell; he also made carvings that were
marketed through sporting houses, particularly his miniature and small carvings which
were frequently sold by the famous sporting firm of Abercrombie & Fitch. This carving of
a tern, which is approximately one half the actual size of the specie. The underside is
both branded by Crowell with his maker’s mark and in his hand is an ink signature “A.E.
Crowell, Cape Cod”. He has also penned the name of the species on the bottom “Least
Tern”. This carving is excellent in all respects…a truly outstanding example by the master carver.
(Height: 3.75"; length: 7.75"; width: 3")

$14,500.00

1310-24 [1203]

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Rigmate Pair, Mallard Duck Decoys by Charles Perdew (1874-1963) Original Paint
Henry Illinois
A fine pair of original Perdew decoys

This outstanding pair of hollow decoys were produced by one of the most colorful and
eccentric carvers of the late 19th and 20th century, Charles Perdew. Charlie, together
with his wife and their large following of cats lived on the bank of the river in Henry,
Illinois. Married in 1902, they formed a partnership in their decoy and decorative bird
carving venture. For a period, Charlie did most of the carving and Edna…the painting.
Eventually Edna became ill, Charlie did both the carving and the painting. Charlie
started carving when he was around 14 years old. Te record for a Perdew decoy
currently is at $252,000 for a single mallard hen. This fine rigmate pair retain their
original lead keel weight, each marked “Henry…Perdew…Ill”. They both retain their
original paint. Generally excellent condition; both birds have some slight handling marks
and a few minor scuffs.
(Male: height: 8.25"; length: 15.75"; width: 5.75" Female: height: 8"; length: 15.75"; width: 5.75")

$10,450.00

1310-19 [1089]

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Pair of Blue Wing Teal Decorative Duck Carvings by Harold Haertel (1904-1995)
Dundee, Illinois
A superb pair by a renowned carver, spectacular paint!

Haertel was a wonderful man and a superb decoy carver; his works have long been
much admired and collected. His attention to detail and form is truly outstanding as can
is illustrated by this fine pair. His brush strokes and detail are just incredible. This
particular pair are marked on the bottom “Blue-Winged Teal Made for Wm. Brauer
Collection by Harold Haertel 1972”. Brauer was a longtime, well known decoy collector.
Both decoys have a couple scattered and teeny scuffs or scratches near the head and
bill, otherwise appear to be excellent and original.
(Drake: height: 4.25"; length: 11.5"; width: 4.5"; Hen: height: 4.5"; length: 10.5"; width: 4.25")

$9,700.00

1310-23 [1195]

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Antique merganser Duck Decoys, by George Huey, Original & Outstanding Paint
Friendship, Maine
Classic stylized birds…displaying long low profiles

Huey is renowned for his sleek carved and wonderfully painted decoys, particularly his
Mergansers. These rare decoys were obviously never used; no signs of ever having
been used and probably were originally acquired by a sport who admired Huey’s work
and admired them as art. Both birds feature Huey’s early signature on the underside; a
bold seraph style signature carved into the base of the decoys. There are inserted
round lead weights and recessed iron staple tie hooks. The drake has a small leather
crest and carved eyes, the hen also has carved eyes. Both birds retain magnificent,
original paint; both birds display his finest painted decoration. It is rare to find a pair of
these wonderfully folky carved decoys in such wonderful condition with such great paint.
Male: height: 7"; length: 17.25"; width: 5.5"; Female: height: 5.75"; length: 15.75"; width: 4.75"

$8,975.00

1310-39 [1282]

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Elmer Crowell, (1862-1952), Full Size King Fisher with Original Perch in Mouth
East Harwich, Massachusetts
Excellent condition…a truly spectacular work of art

This example is branded twice with Crowell’s mark on the underside and retains
its original extraordinary paint decoration. The perch is a masterful replacement,
exactly what should be seen.
(Height: 6.5"; width: 4.75"; length: 7.5")

$7,350.00

1310-8 [1285]

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Antique Scooter Decoy by Wendall Gilley (1904-1983)
Southwest Harbor, Maine
A renowned pioneer in in the field of decorative bird carving…

Wendall Gilley is recognized for his decorative and life size carvings, however, he
carved very, very few decoys and those he created were generally for his own personal
use. This wonderful hollow carving of a scooter, typical of Gilley’s style has beautiful
lines, but also notably the clever Gilley did what no other carver did; a removable,
repositionable head. The dowel is square so that by removing the head and turning it,
you can transform the decoy so that it is looking to the right, looking to the left or so that
its head is turned around and it looks like it’s sleeping or preening. This is likely unique
in decoy carvers. After Gilley’s death, members of the Rockefellers (who were ardent
collectors and much appreciated Gilley’s works) were instrumental in the creation of the
Gilley Museum of Carvings now in Southwest Harbor, Maine.
(Generally excellent original condition; height: 7.75"; width: 8.75"; length: 20".)

$6,225.00

1310-21 [1190]

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Elmer Crowell, (1862-1952), Carved and Painted King Fisher with Original Perch
East Harwich, Massachusetts

This example displays the original paper label from Elmer’s workshop and was at one
time in the renowned collection of Joe French [displays French’s stamp]; one of the
pioneering old time decoy collectors who acquired his first bird in 1954. Over the years
Joe amassed one of the finest collections of decoys extant, particularly renowned for its
miniature carvings. The perch is missing tail and there is a teeny scuff on the left wing,
otherwise outstanding. The tail can be restored.
(Height: 5.25"; width: 4.75"; depth: 3.25")

$4,850.00

1310-25 [1204]

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Antique Yellow Leg Decoy, Hollow Carved, Collapsible, Bill Mackey Collection
Anonymous Carver, Extremely Rare…carries head and bill in hollowed-out body

During the late 19th and early 20th century hunters shot almost every specie of
waterfowl including yellow legs for food and feathers. Hunter’s carried two or three
dozen of these small shorebirds in sacks…into the marshes early in the morning setting
them up as decoys. Carrying a heavy sack containing two or three dozen birds
was no easy task even for the strongest of men; the delicate bills were frequently
broken. Virtually all carvers created these small birds out of solid blocks of wood.
The man who created this work of folk art was rather ingenious and perhaps a little lazy.
He didn’t want to carry a large rig of heavy shorebirds, so he painstakingly hollowed out
each one, equally as interesting is the fact that the heads were removable. Thus, when
he was through using the decoy, he opened the hinged body, fitted the head within the
cavity; this facilitated his ability to easily carry dozens of these decoys out into the
marsh. This beautiful example retains its original paint and generally is in wonderful
condition. It’s possible that the beak may have been replaced at some point; looks good
under a loop, but we know for sure. While there may be more than a couple extant, we
can only recollect one other example, which sold some years ago at a decoy auction for
I believe was in excess of $10,000.00 Retains its original paint, scattered minor wear and
some flaking off the breast. Thinning original Mackey stamp can be seen on the underside.

Literature: American Bird Decoys by William F. Mackey, Jr., page 72.
The Art of the Decoy, American Bird Carvings, Adele Earnest, page 94

$2,850.00

1310-6 [1287]

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Collectible Shorebird Decoy, Killdeer, Carved and Painted, McNair
Mark McNair, Craddockville, Virginia, Circa 1975
The artist is held in high regard, renowned among decoy makers and collectors - SOLD

Relief wing carving and tack eyes; carrying hole carved through the end of the tail.
This signed bird remains in fine original paint that has aged; structurally very good.
(Height on stand: 13.5"; height: 4.75"; length: 11"; width: 3.25")

SOLD

1256-74

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Elegant Carved Whistling Swan in Original Thinning White Paint, Great Patina American, Early to Mid-20th Century

A Whistling Swan hollow body decoy, unknown maker featuring full body with bold wing and tail carving; alert head position. (Length: 28"; height: 21"; width: 10")

$4,150.00

707-85

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Joe Lincoln Canvas Covered Goose Decoy, 26"
Joseph Lincoln (1858 to 1938)
Hingham, (Accord) Massachusetts

This goose with glass eyes is in old hunter's paint and has been shot-over

$2,285

584-5

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Mason Premier Black Duck Decoy, Original Paint
Michigan, Early 20th Century
Polychrome painted figure with glass, delineated bill

Good condition with a few tight age cracks; couple larger flakes to tail laid back down and set; a tad oh hunters infill to this area. Affixed to base is owners rig plate; H.B. Nickerson, Bath, Maine. (H: 8", W: 17.75", D: 5.5")

$1,375

1032-182

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Shorebird Decoy, Golden Plover, Original Surface History, Tack Eyes, Wire Bill
Anonymous Maker, Likely Massachusetts, Late 19th Century

(Has been shot-over, may be a little hunter's touch-up; nice surface. Height on stand: 14.5", W: 13")

$425

1032-170

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Golden Eyed Drake Decoy
Massachusetts

The bill has been restored, and is noted for accuracy.
Dimensions: 13.5-inches long.

$750

PTC-22

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Decoy, Delaware River, Antique Gunners Decoy, Scaup Drake, Original Paint
Likely by one of The English's, Florence, New Jersey
Early 20th Century

Stamped copper rig tag, W. Appleton, Bristol, PA
(H: 6.25"; L: 13.75"; W: 5")

$325

1032-155

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Antique Shorebird Decoy, Yellowlegs, Carved Cork
Anonymous, Likely Long Island

(Make-do string repair to neck; has been shot-over; original surface history; height on stand: 12.5", W: 10")

$255

1032-181

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Shorebird Decoy, Willet, Original Surface, Traces of Paint
Anonymous, Late 19th to Early 20th Century

(H on stand: 13.5", W: 9.75")

$295

1032-178

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Flattie Shorebird Decoy, Yellowlegs, Original Paint
Anonymous, Massachusetts, 19th Century

(Good condition commensurate with age and use; chip to tail, shrinkage fissures; H on stand: 14.25", W: 7.25")

$195

1032-169

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Flattie, Shorebird Decoy, Sanderling Peep, Original Paint
Anonymous, Massachusetts, Early 20th Century

(Remaining section of wood spike glues to dowel; on stand: 7.75", W: 7")

$225

1032-177

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Flattie Shorebird Decoy, Yellowlegs, Original Paint
Anonymous, Massachusetts, 19th Century

(Good condition commensurate with age and use; chip to tail, shrinkage fissures; height on stand: 10.5", W: 9.5")

$175

1032-176

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Decoy, Carved Miniature Duck, Original paint, Vintage
Unknown Maker

(Good condition, craquelure; H: 4.25", W: 3.75", D: 3.75")

$345

290-16

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Previous Offerings or Gone to New Homes

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Pair of Pintail Duck Decoys by Heck Wittington (1907-1981) Vintage Stamped Pair
Ogelsby, Illinois
Heck Whittington started carving in the 1920s for personal use…he was soon supplying
individuals and hunt clubs, from Putnam County, Illinois to clubs on the Mississippi River.
He pioneered realistic painted plumage using vermiculation techniques. - SOLD

Whittington was renowned for both his sculpture and his wonderful detailed paint decoration as is
exemplified by this pair. These hollow swimming pintails, both having turned heads and raised carved
detail wing tips. The underside of both decoys is branded “Heck Whittington Ogelsby, Illinois November
26, 1974”. Outstanding original condition; couple of infinitesimally small rubs on the hen, both on the
beak and tail. The drake also in superb condition with only a couple teeny rubs on the beak and head.
These are very beautiful birds.
(Hen: height: 6.75"; length: 17"; width: 5.25"; drake: 6.25"; length: 19"; width: 5.5")

SOLD

1310-22 [1191]

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Antique Duck Decoy, Brandt, Carved-in-the-Solid…Primitive
North Carolina, circa 1890-1910 - SOLD

Classic old Brandt decoy carved from-the-solid, applied head; traces of original working paint. Age
cracks, additional nails to neck and heavy iron weight.
(21.5" x 10.5" x 6")

SOLD

928-101

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Vintage Canada Goose, Field Decoy, Hollow Carved, Original Paint
An elegantly carved two-piece sentry in good paint, anonymous - SOLD

Height on stand: 45.25" height: 26.5" length: 33"; width: 8"

928-100 - SOLD

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Collectible and Outstanding Mark McNail Blue Wing Hollow Body Teal Decoy
Mark S. McNair (b. 1950)
Craddockville, Virginia, Incised, Signed and Dated 1977 - SOLD

A beautiful bird in great surface by the highly respected artist…
(Height: 5.5"; length: 12.75"; width: 4.5")

1256-53 - SOLD

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Decoy Pair and a Single by Same Hand, Black Ducks, Rotating Heads, Original Paint
Anonymous, Early 20th Century - SOLD

The paint matched pair feature bodies that are carved hollow from beneath; heads mounted on dowels for string-to-weight attachment; the single bird with pale-gray marking is of solid body with the same head construction. (Old paper taped to underside of one base reading: Wendell Gilley, Southwest Harbor, Maine. One bill broken and repaired, else fine; length: Approximately 17.5".

1091-19 - SOLD

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Shorebird Decoy, Feeding Position, Original Paint, Square Nail Beak, Folk Art
Anonymous, 19th Century - SOLD

(H: 9.5"; L: 13")

1006-5 - SOLD

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Shorebird Decoy, Golden Plover, Original Paint
Anonymous, Massachusetts, Later 19th to Early 20th Century - SOLD

(Shrinkage crack to heat at nail beak; thin paint; (H on stand: 12.5", W: 9")

1032-179 - SOLD

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Shorebird Decoy, Golden Plover, Original Paint
Anonymous, Late 19th to Early 20th Century - SOLD

(Good condition, small chip to tail; H on stand: 7.75", W: 4.75")

1032-18 - SOLD

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Shorebird Decoy, Golden Plover, Likely Massachusetts, Original Paint, Beak and Eyes
Anonymous, Later 19th to very early 20th Century - SOLD

(Some scattered teeny-weenie specs of white paint spatter caused by a sloppy painter; height on stand; 10.75", W: 9.5")

1032-172 - SOLD

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Antique Shorebird Decoy, Black Bellied Plover, Spring Plumage
George Boyd, Seabrook, New Hampshire, Ca. 1910
Outstanding example with original bill; superb, dry, detailed original paint - SOLD

See Finely Carved and Nicely Painted, the Life, Art and Decoys of George H. Boyd by Jim Cullen (Rub to end of bill; extremely tight hairline seen under magnification, else fine; Height on stand: 12.5”, H: 5”, L; 12”)

935-13 - SOLD

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Carved and Painted Bird Toothpick Holder,
Joseph Romaud Bernier (1873 – 1952)
Biddeford, Maine, Circa 1890
Maine folk art by “Bernier the Lumberman” remaining in original condition - SOLD

(Height: 4.25"; length: 5"; width: 1.75")

707-72 - SOLD

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OBEDIAH VERITY, LONG ISLAND PLOVER SHORE BIRD DECOY, ORIGINAL SURFACE CIRCA 1855 - SOLD

The bird with original bill, carved eyes, and raised wings shows heavy use; lightly shot and thinning paint; white paint on high spots is about gone; the bird displays a nice surface and rich patina. Very good condition. (Height: 5"; length: 11.5"; width: 3")

[Price is a fraction of examples retaining full coverage paint]

274-201 - SOLD

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Antique Shorebird Decoy, Black Bellied Plover, Spring Plumage
George Boyd, Seabrook, New Hampshire, Ca. 1910
Outstanding example with original bill; superb, dry, detailed original paint - SOLD

See Finely Carved and Nicely Painted, the Life, Art and Decoys of George H. Boyd by Jim Cullen (Height on stand: 16”, H: 4.5”, L: 12”)

935-12 - SOLD

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Shorebird Decoy, Yellowlegs, Original Surface History
Anonymous, Massachusetts, Late 19th to Early 20th Century - SOLD

(Scattered paint loss, nice dry patina; W: 9", H: 3.5")

1032-173 - SOLD

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Canada Goose Decoy, Preening or Sleeping, Original Paint
Anonymous, Mid 20th Century - SOLD

(20 by 10”)

659-102 - SOLD

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Decoy, Shorebird
A Plump Yellowlegs
Probably Massachusetts
Second half, nineteenth century - SOLD

This bird with wire bill remains in untouched original paint and is dry with terrific patina. The body is approximately 2.25-inches wide with and overall length of 10.5-inches. Pure folk!

475-7 - SOLD

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Decoy, Black Duck, Roswell Bliss for Cappy Wicks, Original Paint, Hollow Body
Roswell Bliss (1887 to 1967) Stratford, Connecticut, 1947
Ex Henry Chitwood Collection
Literature: Connecticut Decoys Carvers and Gunners by Henry C. Chitwood with Thomas C. Marshall and Doug Knight, page 59. - SOLD

(Very good condition, scattered and minor paint losses; overall length: 16.5")

295-91 - SOLD

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Decoy, Snowy Egret Shorebird, Glass Eyes, Copper Bill, Original Surface History
Unknown Maker, Hunting Banned by Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
Appears to be in period hunters' repaint over original paint - SOLD

(Wear commensurate with age and use; paint loss as shown; H: 12", L: 19", W: 3")

1002-142 - SOLD

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Carved and Black Painted Wood Crow Decoy, Illinois River
Charles H. Perdew (1874 to 1963)
Henry, Illinois
Circa 1930 - SOLD

The body in old paint, some hunters' repaint, glass eyes, mounted on a black iron base rather than wire legs. (H: on stand: 14.75"; L: 14.5")

532-33 - SOLD

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Decoy, Pigeon Decoy, Carved and Painted, Original Condition
Anonymous, 19th Century - SOLD

Minor imperfections (Dimensions: 15.5" H on stand, 11.5" H.)

706-13 - SOLD

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Yellowlegs Shore Bird Decoy
Late 19th - Early 20th Century
Massachusetts - SOLD

As depicted, with tack eyes; bill appears to be original and is "let-into" head...it appears that the bill has been repaired at joining location. This bird has been shot over and retains old paint; there may be some working hunter's touch up - nothing recent.
Dimensions: 11-inch overall height, 16.75-inch base length, 5-inch base depth, 9.5-inch bird height, 11-inch bird length, 3-inch bird width.

201-286 - SOLD

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Decoy, Bufflehead Duck, Original Paint
Possibly by Henley Sorby (1883 to 1954)
Gores landing, Ontario
Circa 1900 to 1910 - SOLD

The head with taxidermist eyes is let-into body; outline of bill (painted brown), is incised. The edge of body is undercut/canted; good paint.
Small bit of old hunters working period fill at base of neck (each side).
(Dimensions: 11.75" L, 6.5" H, 5" W.)

210-86 - SOLD

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Cast Iron Duck Paperweight
Canvasback
First half 20th century
Original paint - SOLD

Dimensions: 2.75-inches high, 6-inches long, 2.25-inches wide.

201-287 - SOLD

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Decoy, Canada Goose, Original Paint, Hollow Body
Wildfowler Decoy Factory
Old Saybrook, Connecticut
20th Century
Wood head and keel, glass eyes, superb paint and surface; excellent condition - SOLD

(L: 22"; H: 10"; W: 9.5")

1032-31 - SOLD

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Shorebird Decoy, Willet, Hollow with Carved Primary Feathers
Original Paint, Elegantly Carved, Original Baleen Bill
Massachusetts
Circa 1900 - SOLD

A tight neck fissure was expertly stabilized with all else fine. (Length: 13-inches.)

285-54 - SOLD

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Ice Fishing Decoys
Sold separately - SOLD

Larger fish:
Decoy, Ice Fishing
Original paint
Carved, with tin fins - SOLD
As depicted, trout with open mouth, carved gills and shaped tail.
Overall excellent condition with some paint loss.
(Length: 9.75 inches.)
629-18

Smaller fish:
Decoy, Ice Fishing
Original paint
Carved, with tin fins - SOLD
As depicted, small pan-fish with open mouth carved gills and shaped tail. Overall excellent condition.
(Length: 5.5 inches.)
629-17

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Decoy, Shorebird, Black-Bellied Plover
Cape Cod
Circa 1900
In immature plumage - SOLD

Pristine original paint and retaining its original stick.
Tiny chip at end of bill professionally restored.
(Length: 11-inches; height: 13-inches.)

285-42 - SOLD

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Decoy, Eider
Enoch Benner, Branded
Phippsburg, Maine
Late 19th Century
Benner, a fisherman, born 1834, died 1904 - SOLD

As depicted, with some very old hunter's paint restoration.
Some losses and imperfections. (Height: 9 inches; length: 19 inches; width: 9 inches.)

818-13 - SOLD

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Black Duck Decoy
Attributed to John McLoughlin
First Half 19th Century
Bordentown, New Jersey - SOLD

As depicted, hollow carved; fine original condition.
Dimensions: 18.5-inches long, 6.75-inches high, 6.75-inches wide.

661-10 - SOLD

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Eider Decoy
Second half 20th century - SOLD

As depicted, competently carved and painted with taxidermist eyes and nice old surface. (Length: 18 inches; height: 7 inches; width: 7 inches.)

333-112 - SOLD

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