another decoy quizz

Rick L

Rick L

Well-known member
i picker this one up today in central NY. The seller said it was one of several decoys he bought from a down sizing collector in the Thousand Island area.

according to him - the collector said it was a Chesapeake area decoy

any thoughts on the school and long shot- the carver? I find no makers name or initials - you can still see some spoke shave marks on the body and a spot where what i assume was a weighted keel had been. very little wear to the paint, a couple dings that say its been handled some if not shot over, although I am not sure it is not newer done in a old style

its about 22 inches long, 9 wide in the body and about 10 tall to the top of the head

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from the old shadow of a pad weight, and the basic shape i would guess that was from jersey, so some of you Joisey guys who are more adept at identifying your predecessors, ayuda-le!
 
Solid, not hollow? Seems like a conglomeration of styles, body shape, ring & staple, pad weight, knife marks and paint... It's good decoy that may not be that old. My first impression is Virginia, as it has that areas look to it. Just my 2 cents.
 
yes Vince, its solid not hollow,

like i said - i am not sure it is really very old, but the wear (although there's only a little) seems to be from use, some in the areas you would think to fake it like the corners on the tail, but some is not, and there is the weight pad marks.

I know these don't always have an answer, maybe it was done for a competition where it had to be floated and then used a couple times before being retired, or maybe it is older and was put away young when decoy collecting first took off.

but the knowledge base here seems to be pretty deep (its often something else that is pretty deep on other boards) - so I thought is worth asking.
 
Your correct Rick. You may never get the answers, but someone should know something about a decoy as well made as that goose. By not that old, I mean 1950's 1960's or later. If you take it to a decoy show, chances are you will get some various answers. Unless the maker, or someone who knows the maker, speaks up just enjoy it for what it is. I am also the caretaker of such decoys.

The decoy knowledge here is very deep, and it is always worth asking. The DCF also has a wealth of knowledge, about antique decoys, and antique style decoys. Reproductions is the favored term in today's world, never the F word...

The history of the decoy is out there somewhere, so enjoy the hunt for it as well.
 
Pat - I was thinkin' it could be. Jimmy is a good man, and a helluva decoy caver. Way back in the day we used to hunt with him, and he and I traded decoys. We had a nice long phone chat a few months ago. He is the same old good humored, and humble gentleman, that I have known for years. If you and I ever cross paths I can tell you some Good Stories, and if you have spent time with him I imagine you can tell me some Good ones as well. His wife makes some of the Best fried chicken on the planet...

Thing is most of his decoys are marked with his brand, but the way he steady turns em out, he may have missed one. His Brant are my favorite.
 
Dont think its a point pleasant bird you can tell from pictures that the bird was turned, you can see the saw marks on the back, it was also not sanded down by the looks of the saw blade ridges. The body also has a shelf for the head no neck . The ring on bottom of the bird is not correct for point pleasant birds. My guess is a maryland or virginia bird cigar daisy didnt spokeshave or sand down his birds but i also dont think he turned birds so i guess i can only guess regionally rather then the specific carver i would guess maryland bird.
 
Dont think its a point pleasant bird you can tell from pictures that the bird was turned, you can see the saw marks on the back, it was also not sanded down by the looks of the saw blade ridges. The body also has a shelf for the head no neck . The ring on bottom of the bird is not correct for point pleasant birds. My guess is a maryland or virginia bird cigar daisy didnt spokeshave or sand down his birds but i also dont think he turned birds so i guess i can only guess regionally rather then the specific carver i would guess maryland bird.

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Jay - by saw marks - do you mean the lines in the last picture? that is a combination of wood grain and something that may be rasp marks going across the body. they are not concentric nor perpendicular to the center line. In the center of the body the marks are at a 45 degree angle on the sides and patchy on top. There are no turning marks as on a Victor Trap decoy for example.

The main tool marks go the length of the body and look to me to be from a spoke shave - so you are right - it did not get a final sanding

keep the ideas coming guys- if nothing else- researching the suggestions has been educational
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Just another note. Many unmarked decoys are the creations of several carvers. One made the head, another the body, yet another or more did the finishing, paint, and rigging. This was a very common practice in more areas than people may think, and very specific to other areas.. The reason was as much a social event, as a creative endeavor for the love of decoys, not made to fool folks. Many very good decoys were made that way, and were used, or became shelf riders. If you have ever seen it in action, or visited such a shop, you gain a better appreciation for what took place. It's a well oiled machine, of combined master craftsmen and artists.
 
Ya got that right! I never saw a man make a decoy so Fast. and So Many. He has slowed down a little, as his band saw bit him... I asked if he needed new eye glasses?
 
I saw one that looked a lot like this in Joel Barber's book. I don't recall the region, but don't think it was Chesapeake
 
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