Rare 16” Sturgeon (Sturgeon Coaxer) Ice Spear Fishing Decoy by David E. Perkins (1934 – 2018), Duluth, Minnesota, circa 1980s. Perkins started making fish decoys in the late 1940s and Marks them “D.F.D.” for Duluth Fish Decoys. With the growth in interest in Perkins’ Fish, he began to give them a Folky Design starting in the 1980s – 1990s. (See Petersen’s Folk Art Fish Decoys.) Perkins Folk Art Fish Decoys are incredibly appealing to collectors of fish decoys. Fish decoys have a very practical purpose, to attract fish for spearing. In addition, those decoys vary by the carver, the target fish, the condition of the water and depth, and so forth. Emerging then are unique forms that become folk art. This 16” Sturgeon Coaxer is designed to attract a big fish, so size is meaningful. A Sturgeon also has something of a prehistoric look, so Perkins’ Coaxer takes on a prehistoric look with its Bold Body Design, Long Wire Whiskers (Barbels) under the Mouth, a Bony Spines which Perkins displays as Different Sized Brass Head Tacks on the Top and Sides, Large Cut Gills, Yellow Glass Eyes, and an Excellent, Dark Green diminishing to a Tanish White, Paint Pattern to Enhance the Mysterious Nature of this Deep-Water Fish. Heavily weight on the nose and on the bottom, Perkins’ identified the maker with his “D.F.D.” brand in the weight. A Fine Folk Art Fish Decoy.

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Price $400 plus shipping

Classic 6 ½” Spear Fishing Decoy by Judd Duryea (1874 – 1967), Hillman, Michigan, circa 1950s. Duryea’s fish decoys were sold primarily through Jack’s Landing at Fletcher’s Pond on Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, according to Frank Baron. Duryea’s style was fairly consistent during his carving years of 1930s – 1950s. His Fish decoys display a Carved Mouth and Gills, Tack Eyes, almost Rectangular Metal Side Fins and a Curved Metal Tail. While Paint Patterns varied, this Fish displays a Solid Gold Body, accented with Red Spots on the Sides and on the Mouth, Gills, and Fins. This Fish displays Very Good Original Condition with Minor Wear from Use. No Stand Included. A Fine Michigan Fish.

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Price $100 plus shipping

10” Frog Style Ice Spear Fishing Decoy by Richard Nelson, Zimmerman, Minnesota, circa 1950s.  Apparently, Nelson started making fish decoys after World War II and was still an active fisherman in the 1990s when I obtained this Frog. Nice Hand Carved Body Form, with Tack Eyes, Metal Fins, and Heavily Weighted. The Paint is Fully Original with Wear from Use and Age. Not only is this Frog likely a very effective decoy but it is also an Interesting Example of American Folk Art. No Stand Included.

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Price $225 plus shipping

Outstanding 8 ½” Sturgeon Ice Spear Fishing Decoy with a Curved Wood Tail by James Stangland (1946 – 2022), Albion, New York & Baudette, Minnesota, circa Early 2000s. I’ve purchased a number of Stangland Fish Decoys over the years and have always been intrigued by the range of his carving and painting talent (Jim was a professional painter by trade). Jim started carving fish decoys in the 1980s and became incredibly successful at the task, always innovating in style and always ready to take on a new species. There are a variety of different Sturgeon models by Jim, but I believe this piece is one of his finest. Sturgeon are deep water fish with boney spines and a prehistoric look and this image is clearly captured in the Detailed Body Carving and Vibrant Original Paint. Special emphasis is given to the barbels (wires) in front of the protruding mouth which indicative of bottom feeders. The Form of the Fish is as Appealing as the Paint Pattern, which captures the Unique Look of Sturgeon. The Decoy is Finished with a Good Coat of Varnish to protect the Decoy in the Water. Please Note: No Stand Included. Signed on the Bottom: “James Stangland”.

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Price $165 plus shipping