American Painted Tin Shorebird Decoy on Wood Stand, circa 1900
Located in Atlanta, GA
An American painted tin shorebird decoy dating to circa 1890, mounted on a slender iron rod above a turned wood display base.
Iron, Tin
Early Shorebird Decoy
Located in Sheffield, MA
Working shorebird decoy, unusual in that rather than carved from wood, it is fashioned from canvas and straw.
Flight of Three Primitive Shorebird Decoys
Located in London, GB
Retaining original long beaks Solid carved cork with original painted surface.
Cork, Paint
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 stands.The collection has come from a private collector and are in wonderful condition w...
19th Century Nantucket Lightship Bushel Basket by George Gardner
Located in Nantucket, MA
Captain Gardner lived at 141 Main Street and was also known for making shorebird decoys. The bottom plate has no central hole and plug, indicating that this basket was not mounted a...
Rattan, Wood
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 original iron beak, France, circa 1890.
Wood
Golden Plover Shorebird Decoy
Located in Sheffield, MA
Handsome cork plover. Origin Long Island.
Original Working Shorebird Decoy
Located in London, GB
Fashioned from solid carved cork Weathered carved and painted wood and cork.
Wood, Cork
Unusual Early Working Shorebird Decoy
Located in London, GB
Hand Carved and Painted Cork With Glass Eyes French Camargue Region
rig of shorebirds
Located in New York, NY
hand carved shorebirds used as confidence decoys in excellent old white washed patina.
Wood
$395
H 8 in W 17 in D 5.5 in L 8 in
Hand Carved Large Vintage Antique Wood Duck Decoy Sculpture, Early 20th Century
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic early to Mid-20th Century hand-carved and painted wood duck or mallard decoy. This piece has an wonderful color and texture. From an impressive Los Angeles vintage du...
Wood, Paint
$395
H 7 in W 13.5 in D 5.25 in
Hand Carved Vintage Antique Wood Duck Mallard Decoy Sculpture Early 20th Century
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic early to Mid-20th Century hand-carved and painted antique wood duck or mallard decoy. This piece has an wonderful color (notice the white side patch against dark body) an...
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Hand Painted Duck Decoy Antique German
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Found in Germany at an estate sale, this hand carved and hand painted duck decoy is perfect for the collector. Well used by a previous hunter the paint has faded through time althoug...
Wood, Paint
$640
H 4.25 in W 15.5 in D 4.5 in
Late 19th Century Hand Painted Bluebill Rochester Duck Decoy Antique
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Found in Germany at an estate sale, this hand carved and hand painted duck decoy is perfect for the collector. Well used by a previous hunter the paint has faded through time althoug...
Wood, Paint
Sculptural Hand Carved Bird in Wood Mid 20th Century
Located in Meer, VAN
A charming hand carved wooden bird sculpture, Europe, mid 20th century. The bird is reduced to a remarkably elegant silhouette, with a rounded teardrop-shaped body flowing into a s...
Wood
$225
H 6.25 in W 13 in D 5.25 in
European Hand-Carved Folk Art Duck Decoy, Wood and Paint, Mid-20th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming Hand-Carved Folk Art Duck Decoy. The duck features wonderful patina throughout including paint and glass eye. Wonderful collectable piece to add to a grouping. We think this...
Wood, Paint
$1,136Sale Price|20% Off
H 4.63 in W 12 in D 3.75 in
Early 20th Century Hand Painted Duck Decoy Antique, USA owned by Bob Tillbutt
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Found in Germany at an estate sale, this hand carved and hand painted duck decoy is perfect for the collector. Well used by a previous hunter the paint has faded through time althoug...
Wood, Paint
Set of 6 Hand Carved and Painted Shorebird Decoys
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Hand carved and painted shorebirds by Wayne Baker. Grouping of six wood shore birds with tacked eyes. Each mounted to white wash stand and signed underside. Very neat collection disp...
Wood
$1,100
H 8.75 in W 22.25 in D 8.25 in
Monumental 19th Century Hand Painted Duck Decoy Antique Austria Decoration Item
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Found in Vienna Austria at an estate sale, this hand carved and hand painted duck decoy is perfect for the collector or just as decoration item. Very good condition, made of wood and...
Wood, Paint
$676
H 6.3 in W 4.3 in D 12.2 in
Early 20th-Century North American Folk Art Working Duck Decoy, Circa 1900–1930
Located in Lincoln, GB
Early 20th-Century North American Folk Art Working Duck Decoy, Circa 1900–1930 A wonderfully characterful early 20th-century North American carved and painted wooden working duck dec...
Wood
Early Original Painted Shore Bird on Wood Base
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine early 20th century original painted and carved shore bird on wood log base. The bird has a coat of wax or something like varnished.
Wood
$1,434
H 5 in W 4.5 in D 11 in
English Cork Antique Mallard Decoy Duck, Original Paint Early 20th Century
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Antique English wood and cork Mallard drake decoy with original paint. Hand crafted in England. Lightweight, with impressionistic shape and form. Circa early 20th century. Tip of...
Cork
Rustic Carved Wood Bird Sculpture on Stand, American Craftsman, USA
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Rustic Carved Wood Bird on Stand " A very nice rustic carved bird on rustic stand. Dark wood with "reddish" highlights. Partial label on the bottom."
Hardwood
Garden Ornament Cast Stone Seagull on Wood Base
Located in New York, NY
20th Century garden ornament of a cast stone seagull on a wood base. The seagull retains much of its original paint.
Concrete
Folk Art Heron Decoy
Located in Nantucket, MA
Vintage Folk Art Heron Decoy, likely, circa 1960s or 1970s. A stately heron carved in an alert posture with upraised head and elongated neck. Decoy was made in three parts, nicely ha...
Wood
$1,522Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.5 in W 7.5 in D 18 in
Signed Pintail English Hand Carved Decoy, circa 1900
Located in London, GB
Signed Pintail Decoy, circa 1900 We are proud to offer a unique hand carved circa 1900 working decoy, representing a pintail in original paint, and signed with makers initials and o...
Wood
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.