1930s Virginia Folk Art Carved Applewood Shorebird Decoy – Susan, Mathews Co.
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- $295.00
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- Type: Shorebird Decoy / Folk Art Sculpture
- Bird Species: Styled Greater Yellowlegs / Godwit / Tern
- Era/Age: 1930s (Art Deco / Depression Era)
- Origin: Susan, Mathews County, Virginia (Chesapeake Bay Region)
- Material: Solid Native Virginia Applewood / Fruitwood
- Features: Hand-Carved, Tight Ring-Grain, Split-Tail Detail, Blind Head, Treenail Base
- Dimensions: 14.25" Long x 7.25" High
Rare 1930s Americana Folk Art Hand-Carved Shorebird Decoy
Provenance: Sourced directly from a historic family farm homestead in Susan, Virginia (Mathews County, Chesapeake Bay Region).
A magnificent, untouched example of early 20th-century coastal Virginia vernacular folk art. This near life-sized decorative shorebird sculpture (measuring 14.25 inches long by 7.25 inches high) beautifully bridges the gap between traditional Chesapeake Bay decoy carving and the clean, geometric minimalism of the 1930s Art Deco movement.
Design & Craftsmanship Highlights:
- Solid Native Applewood / Fruitwood: Masterfully hand-sculpted from an old-growth fruitwood timber harvested directly from a Mathews County farmstead. The tight, ultra-fine concentric growth rings run flawlessly across the flank of the bird. Having completely dried out over nearly a century of indoor display, the piece is remarkably stable and holds an incredible hand-rubbed amber-honey patina.
- The "Slick/Smoothie" Aesthetic: Features a striking, modern "blind head" design (eyeless) with deep, elegant sweeping incised wing grooves that let the tight, linear wood grain delineate the bird's form.
- Exceptional Split-Tail Detail: Unlike common tourist souvenirs, the tail terminates in a delicately carved, hollowed-out split fork—a highly advanced and difficult carving detail rarely seen on unsigned farm-crafted pieces.
- Treenail Construction Base: The underside of the raw, rough-sawn block base features historic vertical mill marks and reveals a hand-whittled wooden peg/shim securing the oxidized metal support rod. No modern nuts, washers, or screws are present, confirming traditional farm-workshop craftsmanship.
Condition Report:
In beautiful, unaltered antique condition. The wood retains its original finish and deep oxidation, showing minor historic surface scuffs and wonderful, naturally darkened recesses appropriate for its 90+ year age. It has never been chemically stripped, re-lacquered, or artificially enhanced. Please see photos.
In beautiful, unaltered antique condition. The wood retains its original finish and deep oxidation, showing minor historic surface scuffs and wonderful, naturally darkened recesses appropriate for its 90+ year age. It has never been chemically stripped, re-lacquered, or artificially enhanced. Please see photos.
An exceptional piece for collectors of premium American folk art, decoy history, or coastal Tidewater decor.