Decoy ID for the gurus

Nick Zito

Nick Zito

Active member
Got these as a gift from my brother in law. Apparently they were his grandfathers - from Youngstown, NY.

Curious if the thought is they were carved by said grandfather or if a commercial line, and roughly the decade they may be from.
Flat bottom, appears to be pine body. Can snap some more photos if needed. Glass eyes on them.
View attachment 6D42DDA9-3E5C-43F8-BF89-7CFE2CE74527.jpeg
 

Need better photos.

Could be from Canada, very close by. The style and influence is there. Many decoys made in Canada were used the area.

The carving detail on the back is similar to Ken Anger, Dunnville, Ontario, (1905 - 1961). Also the style of the head, especially the drake.


my 2 cents
 
 
Ok, how about this carver after seeing the back, are they solid??
Len Suzor, Pike Creek Decoys, Ontario.
Phil



Phil said:
Could be Ken Harris from Lake Ontario, NY
Phil
Click to expand...
 

With the new photo's. IMO - "The Rasp Master" Mr. Ken Anger. The man made a helluva great gunning decoy.

If ya want a positive ID get in touch with G&D auction house, and they will give ya the info you need. In original paint, Mr. Anger's decoys bring a tidy sum.

Many of the best decoys are from Canada, and there are many good books about them. Going to the decoy shows, and visiting private collections and seeing and touching the decoys are still the best ways to appreciate them.


You friend is very generous indeed, and you are a very lucky man. By the way Mr. Anger's Black Ducks are killers...


VP
 
Phil said:
Ok, how about this carver after seeing the back, are they solid??
Len Suzor, Pike Creek Decoys, Ontario.
Phil



Phil said:
Could be Ken Harris from Lake Ontario, NY
Phil
Click to expand...
Click to expand...


If memory serves me right Mr. Suzor, and family were at the Ohio show for many years. Their room was only a few doors from mine, and they always brought huge piles of decoys. Good folks and good decoys.



VP
 
I see 2 wood screws in the bottom on the sides possibly used to hold 2 halves together when gluing up the body
Is this unique to a certain carver? Also looks like a lot of rasping. May help identify the carver.
 
Whoever made them, they are classy looking stool, for sure. Too bad the keel was removed. Nice gift, for sure!!
 

DMM,

I'm surprised at you. Many of the decoy dealers at the old Ohio show had Ken Anger decoys for sale. Always out of my price range, but I sure did check em out real good.

Of course you never went to any of the dealer rooms, or in the ballroom. Cuz you were always very busy carving, painting, etc. with the Runamuck Crew. I doubt that ya ever got very much sleep. [;)]


VP
 
The drake back had a comb raked through thick white paint on the back. Once it hardens, black is over-painted and sanded off leaving the striations.
 
Good morning, Nick~


As others have opined, Ken Angier jumped to my mind on first glance. Sweet birds for sure!


All the best,


SJS

 

If you are unable to see, and appreciate the decoys in person a very good book to get is.


TRADITIONS IN WOOD A HISTORY OF WILDFOWL DECOYS IN CANADA by Patricia Fleming with Thomas Carpenter


You will enjoy it.
 
They are made by Cecil Anger. Not Ken. The bodies and bills are decidedly different. I have a few by both carvers and these are Cecil?s. Enjoy them. Great birds.
 
Ken Anger?s decoys are hollow, crafted of two thick laminated red cedar boards. Anger joined the upper and lower pieces with glue and then drove a wood screw in either side to keep the pieces from shifting while drying. Afterwards, Anger removed the screws, filled in the holes, and inadvertently gave his decoys a unique identity. His cousin Cecil left the screws in and uncovered- the best way to identify either man?s work.
 
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