D is for Decoys
I’m not a duck hunter but I do love duck decoys – especially antique ones. When I first visited Dale’s house I was completely in love with him this decoy.
We’re not sure but we believe hope it’s a Mason. I love the simplicity of it. I love where the paint has worn away and the wood shows through. It’s just really beautiful to me.
A couple of years ago Dale convinced his brother Randy to sell him this decoy so that he could give it to me as a Christmas present.
As you can see, it’s very similar to the first one, except that it has the gear still attached to the bottom of the duck. Randy made the stand for it so that it can sit on our mantle and at Christmas time I decorate the stand with fresh greens. Again, we believe hope it’s a Mason, but we’re not positive. I like to think it is!
We have other decoys around our home, including this one that Dale carved many years ago.
We also have framed prints of decoys from years when Randy and Barry (another of Dale’s brothers) each won the Massachusetts State Duck Stamp award.
This is the one that Barry painted and, as you can see, he did two artist’s remarques, including one of our dog Dixie, with a bird in her mouth in the lower left corner.
And this is Randy’s (although not his newest one, we don’t have that print yet) and he also did two artist’s remarques, with the geographical outline of Cape Cod in the upper right corner and ducks in flight in the lower left corner.
I think that the folk art character of antique duck decoys suits our home really well. The primitive style and rustic wood really appeals to me. In fact, a few years ago, we visited the Shelburne Museum and Dale had to drag me out of the house where the decoy collection is housed.
Someday, perhaps, I’ll have an Elmer Crowell. In the meantime, though, I’m happy with the ones I have.
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Those are surprisingly (well, to me at least!) cool looking! That’s what is so fun about the ABC-Along – a peek into other’s lives. Thanks!
I never knew that dog was supposed to be dixie!
A wonderful collection. I trust you have seen the movie Fargo? Hee.
That is a great collection. And it’s impressive that you’ve studied some of the history of them and all. Excellant “D”.
I love decoys as well. My father collects them and carves a bit as well. There is a nice carver in Hingham, Bill Sarni, who studied with Joe Lincoln. Lincoln’s Wood Duck–and Sarni’s copy–is my absolute favorite. Thanks for sharing your fabulous D!
Now…when I see those ducks in the antique shops, I’ll stop and really look at them…and look at them in a whole new way. Thanks for opening my eyes a little wider. 🙂
Cool ducks! I love the print with your dog included in it, very neato.
I’m super impressed by your husband’s ability to carve ducks. How lucky are you? He lets you spend lots of money AND can whittle you waterfowl.
*jealous*
Great “D”! Sounds like you have a talented family, too!
I thought for sure “D” would be for Dale.
Cute and charming too. Nice work.
Those decoys look a little cold, Carole. Maybe you can whip up a couple of ducky scarves?
Now every time I pat the decoys on the head in the antique stores, I’ll think of you. I think scarves sounds like a great idea!
The coolest thing about this ABCalong is that we get to find out neat things like this about you. 🙂 Dale carved that one?? That’s awesome.
Love decoys. Wish they weren’t so expensive.
Cool decoys! Especially the one Dale carved, very neat!
I’ve always loved decoys and the decor that highlights them, unfortunately not very Floridian 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
What beautiful decoys; they have a charm I really like! And what talented people!