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Antique Shorebird Decoys

19th Century Working Shorebird Decoy
Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex
Wonderfully sculptural working shorebird decoy, found in original paint. Most likely a replacement
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Shorebird Decoys

Materials

Wood

Antique 19th Century Working Shorebird Decoy
19th Century Working Shorebird Decoy
H 8.67 in W 4.34 in D 2.37 in
19th Century Nantucket Lightship Bushel Basket by George Gardner
Located in Nantucket, MA
. Gardner." Captain Gardner lived at 141 Main Street and was also known for making shorebird decoys. The
Category

1870s American Folk Art Antique Shorebird Decoys

Materials

Rattan, Wood

People Also Browsed

Nantucket Large Oval Basket by Mitchy Ray, circa 1920s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Late 19th century nantucket basket, by Mitchy Ray (1877 - 1956), circa 1920s, a large open oval basket with heavy rattan staves, cane weave, solid oak bottom plate and carved swing h...
Category

1920s American Folk Art Antique Shorebird Decoys

Materials

Cane

Japanese Pair Wabi Sabi Cedar Wood Sculptures
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
1496 Pair Wabi Sabi Cedar wood sculptures
Category

1940s Antique Shorebird Decoys

Materials

Hardwood

Garden Elegance: A Triptych of 19th Century Botanical Illustrations, 1896
Located in Langweer, NL
"Garden Elegance: A Triptych of 19th Century Botanical Illustrations" Delight in the timeless beauty of "Garden Elegance," a captivating collection of three original antique prints ...
Category

1890s Antique Shorebird Decoys

Materials

Paper

18th Century American Pine Decorated Blanket Chest
Located in Nantucket, MA
18th century American pine decorated blanket chest, probably from New England, circa 1770 having a dovetailed case on wide bracket feet, the lid held by long strap hinges; in origina...
Category

Late 18th Century American Chippendale Antique Shorebird Decoys

Materials

Pine

Andrianna Shamaris Wabi Sabi Coffee Table
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Wabi Sabi hand carved coffee table. We added minimalist legs to this single wood piece originally used as an architectural panel. This coffee table was hand made in the s...
Category

1950s Asian Tribal Antique Shorebird Decoys

Materials

Wood, Reclaimed Wood

Rectangual Wabi Sabi Coffee Table, Brutalist, Rustic, 1940's
Located in Antwerp, BE
Coffee table in rectangle shape, with charismatic patina inspired by the great principles of wabi-sabi. A timeless design that fits in any interior that likes to play with the narrat...
Category

1940s European Brutalist Antique Shorebird Decoys

Materials

Wood

Antique Botany Print of The Viscaria Alpina or Alpina Catchfly, 1897
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique botany print titled 'Viscaria alpina'. Old botanical print depicting the Viscaria alpina or Alpine catchfly. This print originates from 'Atlas der Alpenflora' by E. Palla. ...
Category

19th Century Antique Shorebird Decoys

Materials

Paper

Nantucket Lightship Basket, Made by Davis Hall on the South Shoal Lightship
Located in Nantucket, MA
Oval Nantucket lightship basket with shaped oak swing handle ending in carved round “lollipop” ends and brass ears. Remnants of the original paper label remains on the bottom. Made...
Category

Late 19th Century North American Folk Art Antique Shorebird Decoys

Materials

Cane, Rattan, Oak

Nantucket lighthouse basket attributed to Mitchy Ray, 1900-50
By Clinton Mitchell "Mitchy" Ray 1
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Large vintage Nantucket lighthouse basket with heavy rattan rim and stays. The basket features a hinged and carved oak handle which is squared off across the apex and carved with the...
Category

20th Century American Antique Shorebird Decoys

Materials

Brass

Monumental Antique Hand Carved Wooden Trough or Bowl Wabi Sabi, 19th Century
Located in Tilburg, NL
Monumental antique carved wooden trough or bowl, 19th century. This is a rare antique hand carved wooden trough or bowl, which can be used for decoration or as a (fruit) bowl or m...
Category

19th Century European Folk Art Antique Shorebird Decoys

Materials

Wood

Nantucket Large Harvest Basket by Mitchy Ray, circa 1920s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Vintage Nantucket Basket, by Mitchy Ray (1877 - 1956), circa 1920s, a large open round basket with heavy wooden staves, cane weave, solid oak bottom plate with two inscribed rings, a...
Category

1920s American Folk Art Antique Shorebird Decoys

Materials

Cane, Oak

Camelia Clowesiana [Camellia], Drawn by J J Jung, Engraved by Oudet, Berlèse
By J. J. Jung
Located in Norwich, GB
Issued in the much sought after and scarce series: Abbé Lorenzo Berlèse Iconographie du genre camellia ou description et figures des camellia les plus belles et les plus rares ...
Category

1840s French Early Victorian Antique Shorebird Decoys

Materials

Paper

Earth-Tone Vintage Turkish Kilim Rug, Wabi-Sabi Embraces Sustainable Design
Located in Dallas, TX
60636 Brown Vintage Striped Turkish Kilim Rug, 12'03 x 15'04. This handwoven wool vintage Turkish kilim rug breathes the spirit of Wabi-Sabi, effortlessly merging with a commitment t...
Category

Mid-20th Century Turkish Kilim Antique Shorebird Decoys

Materials

Cotton, Wool

Handmade Brutalist Sheet Metal Goose
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Whether it's a goose or a duck, or some other waterfowl this handmade metal bird is sure to make a splash in any space. Layers of cut and welded sheet metal give a wonderful lifelike...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Industrial Antique Shorebird Decoys

Materials

Metal, Sheet Metal

Very Early Nantucket Lightship Basket, circa 1860
Located in Nantucket, MA
Very Early Nantucket lightship basket, circa 1860, an oval open basket with wide splint staves, split wood rim, cane weave, solid birch bottom plate, and shaped swing handle attached...
Category

1860s American Folk Art Antique Shorebird Decoys

Materials

Cane, Wood

Nantucket Lightship Basket from the South Shoals Lightship, circa 1870s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Nantucket Lightship Basket from the South Shoals Lightship, attributed to Captain Thomas James (Nantucket: 1811 - 1885), circa 1870s, an early round, open Nantucket basket wi...
Category

1870s American Folk Art Antique Shorebird Decoys

Materials

Cane, Wood

Recent Sales

Early Shorebird Decoy
Located in Sheffield, MA
Working shorebird decoy, unusual in that rather than carved from wood, it is fashioned from canvas
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Antique Shorebird Decoys

Flight of Three Primitive Shorebird Decoys
Located in London, GB
Retaining original long beaks Solid carved cork with original painted surface.
Category

Late 19th Century French Folk Art Antique Shorebird Decoys

Materials

Cork, Paint

Antique Flight of Three Primitive Shorebird Decoys
H 12.5 in W 9.25 in D 2.5 in
Fantastic Group of 3 Shorebirds in Original Painted Surface
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This group of three original painted shorebirds from New England are on custom made cast iron
Category

Early 20th Century American Antique Shorebird Decoys

Late 19th Century Working Shorebird Decoy
Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex
Late 19th century working shorebird decoy found in his original painted finish, unusually with his
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Shorebird Decoys

Materials

Wood

Late 19th Century Working Shorebird Decoy
Late 19th Century Working Shorebird Decoy
H 7.88 in W 11.03 in D 3.15 in
Original Working Shorebird Decoy
Located in London, GB
Fashioned from solid carved cork Weathered carved and painted wood and cork.
Category

19th Century French Folk Art Antique Shorebird Decoys

Materials

Wood, Cork

Original Working Shorebird Decoy
H 12 in W 9.5 in D 2.5 in
Golden Plover Shorebird Decoy
Located in Sheffield, MA
Handsome cork plover. Origin Long Island.
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Antique Shorebird Decoys

Unusual Early Working Shorebird Decoy
Located in London, GB
Hand Carved and Painted Cork With Glass Eyes French Camargue Region
Category

19th Century French Antique Shorebird Decoys

Unusual Early Working Shorebird Decoy
Unusual Early Working Shorebird Decoy
H 12.25 in W 9 in D 3.5 in
rig of shorebirds
Located in New York, NY
hand carved shorebirds used as confidence decoys in excellent old white washed patina. Will sell
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Antique Shorebird Decoys

Materials

Wood

rig of shorebirds
rig of shorebirds
H 9 in W 9 in
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Finding the Right decoys for You

Vintage, new and antique decoys have become fashionable decor in modern homes.

The history of decoy ducks, shorebirds, geese and other waterfowl as part of the folk art tradition stretches back thousands of years. Tule duck decoys made between 400 B.C. and 100 A.D. by Indigenous people for use in hunting have been found in Nevada that are similar to decoys still in use today.

Waterfowl decoys are now often made of plastic and foam, but vintage duck decoys from the mid-19th to early 20th century were frequently made of wood. Canvas duck decoys were popularized from the 1920s to ’40s as a lightweight alternative. These folk art pieces feature hand-painted feathers and long, flat bodies, lending themselves well to display in living rooms on shelves and in cabinets.

One of the fascinating aspects of handcrafted waterfowl decoys is their regional variation to match the local birds. For example, German decoys are regularly decorated with green and gray paints, making them look like mallard ducks. Scandinavian decoys are typically black and white, resembling the common eider.

Either option could be a rustic treasure for one’s home, adding a touch of eclectic art to any room. Browse antique, new and vintage decoys on 1stDibs today.