A testament to over 100 years of quiet history
A stately handmade decoy born from hunting culture
Product Description:
This is a wooden duck decoy estimated to have been made in the early to mid-20th century. The old paint has naturally peeled away, revealing the beautiful texture of the wood, making it a unique and charming piece. A distinctive feature is the removable beak. This design, seen in decoys of that era, prioritized maintainability, allowing for easy repair, replacement, or cleaning of the interior. A lead weight is attached to the bottom of the body to ensure stability on the water. The rope and metal fittings at the front were used for mooring when actually floating it on the water. Among existing antique decoys, pieces that retain their original structure like this one are extremely rare. This is an exceptional item that, along with its natural aging, evokes the good old American outdoor culture. (R070111)
Specifications:
・Material: Wood (hand-carved)
・Size: Approx. Length 40cm x Height 20cm x Width 15cm
・Weight: Approx. 1.2kg (including lead weight)
・Condition: Antique (paint peeling, cracks, wear due to age)
・Structure: Removable beak, fixed neck
・Weight: Lead (attached to the bottom)
・No returns or exchanges
Recommended Features:
・Murata Collection (a piece from Shinzō Murata's collection)
・An authentic, functional decoy likely used in actual hunting
・The aged wood texture and remaining paint give it a very profound charm
・Makes a strong statement as an interior decoration (perfect for entrances, studies, or store displays)
・The detachable beak structure is unique and highly collectible
・As a one-of-a-kind antique, it is an exquisite piece that combines timeless warmth and practical beauty
Special Notes:
Decoys from that period were primarily used as "tools to lure live ducks for hunting (especially duck hunting)." The background of this culture lies in the history of ducks being an important food source. From the Middle Ages to the early modern period (roughly 15th to 19th centuries) in Europe, ducks and geese were widely served as luxury ingredients. They were highly prized as game meat for nobility and feudal lords, especially in England, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, where they were a winter delicacy. Duck meat, rich in fat and strong in flavor, was roasted, stewed, or confited. Therefore, hunting with decoys was prevalent "for subsistence," "to secure food," and "for recreation or competitive hunting." The origin of decoys is traced back to the 17th century in the Netherlands and England. The method of floating wooden carvings (decoys) resembling actual ducks on ponds or wetlands to lure real ducks, making them think they were joining their flock, and then hunting them with guns, became established. Later, it spread to America and became a symbol of hunting culture in the 19th and 20th centuries. Particularly in America, many decoy makers emerged, and their work began to be recognized for its artistic value as "folk art."
*Based on research by AI.
