Wooden Mallard Duck Decoys
Early 20th Century Art Deco Decoys
Wood
People Also Browsed
Vintage 1920s American Decoys
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Tobacco Accessories
Copper
Early 20th Century American Adirondack Decoys
Wood, Paint
Antique 1820s English Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Sterling Silver
20th Century Chinese Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes
Wicker
Early 20th Century American Decoys
Wood
Vintage 1920s American Country Decoys
Wood
20th Century American Country Decoys
Wood
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decoys
Pine
Vintage 1920s American Decoys
Wood
Vintage 1920s American Decoys
Wood
Vintage 1910s French Edwardian Decorative Boxes
Silver Plate
Vintage 1950s American Decoys
Wood
Recent Sales
Vintage 1980s Folk Art Decoys
Hardwood, Paint
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.
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