Marc Art
Fenton
Art
HOME | ENTER THE STORE |
ambience
 
Cherry Hill Antiques
 
 
Koveles
 
comfort zone
 
shabby chic
 
 
shabby
 
 

Chic
 
 
Are you interested in receiving our Newsletter
"Up On
Cherry Hill" Type your
e-mail address in the box below


Search Product Quick Jump
5260 Duncan Rd #1
Punta Gorda, Fl 33982
Phone #
941-505-4344
Email : info@cherryhillantiques.com
Product Name: Decoys - Out of The Water Into The Home |::| Model#: DOQH2a

Product Information: Model#: DOQH2a
Product Description:
DECOYS OUT OF THE WATER INTO THE HOME

Decoys weren’t noticed much until the 1970’s, but in reality were around from 200 A.D. when a Native American Tribe made them from reeds. In the late 1700’s fragile reeds were replaced by pine or cedar, were hand carved, and some with hand painted plumage. By the early 1800’s carvers created two types of wood decoys – floating, and stick up decoys. The floating decoys were waterfowl such as ducks, geese, swans, and the stick up decoys were curlews, peepers and plovers. Stick up decoys were mounted on sticks so the decoy seemed to be standing.

By the mid 1800’s, waterfowl demand skyrocketed with the dinning elite at restaurants. With such a great demand, hunters would use 100-400 decoys at a time, and wood decoy carvers emerged by the flock. The demand for these birds became so great that many became extinct. In 1918, the Migratory Bird Treaty was passed with the help of Theodore Roosevelt which ended commercial hunting and limited the amount killed each year.

Hundreds of carvers tried to meet the demand, but some of the most famous were; Albert Laing – first attached the body to head with copper nails which wouldn’t rust, Harry Shourds – one of the most realistic painters, and Anthony Elmer Crowell – thought to be the best and most sought after of all the carvers. In the mid to late 19th century, a few factories sprang up to help satisfy the demand for decoys which were made by a reproducing lathe with the heads and tails done by hand.

There are a few ways to help tell if a decoy is a reproduction or not. Contemporary carvers usually painted realistic feathers, but old decoys are usually mostly solid color. The oldest decoys have metal or tack eyes, carved eyes or painted eyes, but later glass eyes from taxidermist were used. Look for tool marks since before the early 1800’s the main tools were hand ax, draw knife or rasp. Around the mid 1800’s, some wood decoys were made hollow, in 2 or 3 sections, and Shadow Decoys or stick ups appeared which were wood silhouettes.

Prices of decoys depend on who made them, year made, quality, how much restored, and type of bird. The shorebirds and Swans are most sought after. Their prices have soared since the 1970’s which is when collectors discovered these pieces of Folk Art. Some collectors call decoys “Hunter’s Art”. One decoy sold in the early 1970’s for $10.000 and the same decoy sold in 2001 for $450.00. Nice hand carved decoys can still be found for as low as $25.00 or as high as $950.00.

Be careful buying wood decoys from the internet. Make sure you ask a lot of questions. It is very hard to tell reproductions, and even harder from a picture. Decoys are very habit forming and can run up into major money so always buy from a reputable dealer and do your homework. Buy many books, study them, attend auctions, shop Antique stores, attend Decoy shows, and ask many, many questions.

If you’re a beginning collector or just a dedicated browser, and you love a reproduction decoy you found, or it is all you can afford, buy it. It is a wonderful start. If you see an Antique decoy you’re interested in, buy it. It won’t be there next time. Remember – all decoys are a one of a kind piece of History, and Folk Art.
Price: 00

Need more information or want to order this product and have it shipped to you? Ask here.

Fields marked with a * are required
Your Email *
Your Name *
Your Phone *
Company
Enter Your comments/questions here:
Qty:
Opts:
Total:

 
We will ship anything in this store within the continental United States contact us for shipping prices. Shipping will be billed seperately from the price listed above.

BACK TO TOP

Cherry Hill Antiques
5260 Duncan Rd #1
Punta Gorda, Fl 33982
941-505-4344
Email : info@cherryhillantiques.com

HOME | ENTER THE STORE |

Copyright 2003 Cherry Hill Antiques
Harry Rinker
vintage
primitive
Web Design - Hosting - Marketing - Database development