Antique 1910s Solid Wood Duck Decoy, Mathews County VA Farm Estate
- Regular Price
- $165.00
- Sale Price
- $165.00
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- Duck Type: Black Duck / Mallard Hen
- Material: Heavy Solid Wood
- Features: Antique, Heavy Solid Body, Tack Eyes, Lathe-turned Center Plugs
- Origin: Mid-Atlantic Flyway / Susan, Mathews County, Virginia
- Era: Early 20th Century (Circa 1910–1920s)
- Dimensions: 17" Long x 5.5" Wide x 7" Tall
Authentic Early 20th-Century Heavy Solid Wood Working Duck Decoy
Provenance: Salvaged directly from an old family farm estate in Susan, Mathews County, Virginia (Chesapeake Bay Middle Peninsula flyway).
A fantastic, substantial piece of early American waterfowling history. This 17" duck decoy features the classic lines of a Black Duck or Mallard Hen. It is carved from a remarkably dense, heavy solid block of wood, built to withstand the choppy, rough waters of the Mobjack and Chesapeake Bays without tipping.
Structurally, it bears the distinct hallmarks of an early factory production piece—such as those by the Mason Decoy Factory or Pratt Decoy Company from the 1910–1920 era.
Key Construction Details:
- Heavy Solid Wood Body: Notably heavy and solid in the hand, built for rugged, practical use on the water rather than display.
- Production Evidence: The flat-sawn underside features two distinct circular wooden dowel plugs in the center—clear evidence of the automated lathe machinery used by historic turn-of-the-century decoy factories.
- Eyes: Features original period-correct metal tack eyes rather than glass, typical of working-class standard grades.
- Neck Joint: The head is securely mounted flush to the body shelf with an incredibly strong, age-hardened historical filler compound. The head remains rock-solid on the body with absolutely no wobble.
- Rigging History: Small screw holes on the bottom indicate where the original lead strip weight and leather/metal tie-down loop were mounted during its active hunting days.
Condition & Patina:
This bird is in authentic, unrestored "uncovered barn" condition. It boasts an incredible, heavily weathered rustic dark brown patina. Decades of exposure on the Virginia coast and storage on a local farm have left the surface with extensive historical paint loss, flaking, and natural wood grain checking. There are signs of a historic local waterman's re-paint over the factory block to adapt it for the local Chesapeake Bay flyway.
This bird is in authentic, unrestored "uncovered barn" condition. It boasts an incredible, heavily weathered rustic dark brown patina. Decades of exposure on the Virginia coast and storage on a local farm have left the surface with extensive historical paint loss, flaking, and natural wood grain checking. There are signs of a historic local waterman's re-paint over the factory block to adapt it for the local Chesapeake Bay flyway.
Perfect addition for collectors of Mid-Atlantic maritime history, antique folk art, or as a striking piece of authentic rustic farmhouse decor.
- Measurements: Approx. 17" L x 5.5" W x 7" H
- Shipping: Will be carefully wrapped and securely packed to accommodate its heavy weight.