Antique Wooden Working Decoy – Ca 1910
This antique working decoy comes from a barn in Rhode Island, part of a treasure trove of decoys found while cleaning out the barn. The decoy measures 14” long x 5 1/2” wide and is about 6” tall. The head is solidly attached and the body retains some of its original paint. The head has only one eye (nail) in it and I believe that the head may be a replacement as the carving appears a little different than the carving on the body. For some reason that I cannot figure out a nail was driven into the underside of the beak and barely sticks out on the top of the beak. There are two gouges on the beak and one in the back of the head. There are several splits that have begun on the body running lengthwise, yet the body is solid. There is a metal weight on the bottom and an eye for tying a rope. Nicks, scrapes and a ton of wear testify to an active life of service over the years. There are no markings on the body to use to identify the maker, but all considered, a very unique bird.