A characterful Merganser decoy duck, well carved, unusually in oak that has gained a rich patina over its useful life. The use of oak and the depth of patina as well as the style of carving lead me to believe this is an early example, decoy ducks have been used for centuries, the earliest examples found were in Egypt and dated between 300 and 200 BC. Most I have handled have been of late 19th and early 20th century. I believe this one to be of an earlier date
British or possibly American 18th or early 19th Century
Height 14cm ( 5 1/2”)
Width 29cm ( 11 1/2”)
A characterful Merganser decoy duck, well carved, unusually in oak that has gained a rich patina over its useful life. The use of oak and the depth of patina as well as the style of carving lead me to believe this is an early example, decoy ducks have been used for centuries, the earliest examples found were in Egypt and dated between 300 and 200 BC. Most I have handled have been of late 19th and early 20th century. I believe this one to be of an earlier date
British or possibly American 18th or early 19th Century
Height 14cm ( 5 1/2”)
Width 29cm ( 11 1/2”)
