 |
Duck Decoys
René began collecting working duck decoys as an extension of his interest in carving his own, wood duck decoys in the traditional style, much like the ones his Dad carved and shot over on Lake Erie. As a founding member of the Canadian Decoy & Outdoor Collectibles Association (C.D.O.C.A.), Rene initiated several show and sale opportunities for C.D.O.C.A. at the Fall Hunting Show (International Center, T.O. ON).
Although René collects primarily, early Ontario made decoys, he has traveled as far as Chicago, Illinois to attend Guyette and Shmidt’s spring decoy auction, and exponentially expanded his knowledge of diverse regional makers from across the country.
Bud Tully Decoys
Currently , René is researching and writing an article in Peterborough’s own, Bud Tully, who carved highly detailed and much desired working blocks from 1940 to 1970. Using only hand tools and a rasp, he hand textured exquisite form, and feather details on most all of his working decoys. If Ken Anger is highly regarded as the ’rasp-master’ of Dunville, ON, then perhaps, James Donald Tully should be known as the ‘rasp-penator’ of Peterborugh, ON., for Bud Tully’s own technique was truly more muscular.
Harve Davern
Harve Davern carved slender necked, stylish duck decoys that remain highly collectible today. In the 1930’s he was a caretaker and guide for a Presqui’le Point hunt club and was one of the last ‘market gunners’, to supply fresh wild duck to Toronto eating establishments prior to 1940. From his home in Brighton, ON, Harve would carve many decoys for his large rig, including whistlers, bluebills, canvasbacks and his much coveted black ducks. His scratch painting technique was second to none and he also is known to have influenced, in decoy carving and painting, a former Brighton resident living in Peterborough in 1940 one James Donald Tully.
Bufflehead Pair D.W. Nichols
This diminutive pair of Bufflehead decoys were made by D.W. Nichols, of Smith Falls, ON, circa 1950. Made on the same template used for his working decoys, this pair were destined for the shelf and never did see any time on the water. They personify the highest standards in the decoy making art, exquisite form, precise woodcarving carving and soft wet-blended oil paint which has mellowed to a fine patina.
Ken Anger Blackduck
Ken Anger is the well known ‘rasp master’ of Dunville, ON. Taking notes from another Dunville native, decoy carver Peter Pringle, Ken patterned his early working blocks on Pringle’s and is know to have borrowed a certain drake mallard from P.M. Pringle until Ken was sure he had it right. Surpassing his mentor in lifetime production, Ken Anger was also awarded prestigious honors in New York waterfowl carving competitions. Subsequently, legions of decoy collectors world wide, aspire to have an “Anger” on their shelf.
Ken Anger Hen Canvasback
This hollow, circa 1940s Hen Canvasback decoy, in mint paint, is an excellent example of the refinement and attention to detail that is evident in most all of Ken’s working decoys. Anybody got a drake can to match this pretty little hen?
D.C. Loach Hen Mallard
Don Loach painted as a passion, many of his oil on board field studies depicted the environments where he pursued his outdoor pastimes of hunting and fishing. With his brother Cliff, he hunted at Long Point, Ontario, where they put out a rig of decoys that they made together. This hen mallard has been documented in “Ontario Decoys, B. Gates”, page 56, as a black duck, in fact it is a hen mallard, and an exceptionally fine one at that. The paint is that of a master! Don was the kind of man, that when the hunting got slow, he would pull out his paints and capture the wonders of the marsh all around him.
|
Don Loach's brand on bottom board |
|
Does anyone have the mate to this hen mallard?
See "The D. C. Loach Collection".
Take advantage of René's Antique Duck Decoy Identification Service. If he becomes the buyer of your antique duck decoy, he will refund the identification fee.
|
