A Dynamic Presentation of a Miniature Mallard Hen Carving by Courtney Allen (1896 – 1969), North Truro, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, circa 1950s – 1960s. Over the years, the Outer Cape has been the destination for artists and writers well-known to American culture. Courtney Allen was one of those artists. In the early 20^th century, Allen became inspired by the illustrations found in magazines of the day and became determined to study art. That desire led him to a career as a major artist and illustrator for those Major Magazine and books, focusing on griping images of people confronting precarious situations in the outdoors. Allen and his wife Erma Paul, also an illustrator, often visited the Outer Cape while working in New York and eventually bought a house in North Truro in 1927. They finally moved to the Cape for good in 1951 where Allen engaged in carving miniature waterfowl for the next 20 years. The Mallard Hen offered here is one of those birds. The Miniature Mallard standing on a large piece of knurled old burl is presented with a contoured body and reaching head with the bill apparently searching for a hidden nibble found on the “rocks”. Allen enhances the quality of the carving by creating layered raised wing, split tail carving to finish the dynamic design. The Elaborate Feather Paint is Fully Original, though it is somewhat worn by time and with minor flaking to the legs. There is also a very slight separation where the neck is attached to the body. The Total Presentation exhibits Allen’s ability to display a Full Understanding of the Artist’s Eye for Dimensionality. Measurements: the Hen is 7 ½” in length and 2 5/8” in width; the total piece is 11” in length, 7” in width, and 7” in height. A Wonderfully Dynamic Miniature Mallard Hen by an Important 20^th Century Artist and Carver.

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Miniature Sleeping Black Duck Hen by John “Jack”, Venice, Florida. John Wood is a well-known Carver of Delaware River Style Decoys, currently living in Venice, Florida. His decoys have won numerous awards over the years and are quite appealing. This Appealing Miniature also represents the Delaware River Style. It features a Tucked Head, Closed Eyes, a Highly Detailed Bill Carving, and a Full Body with Raised-Wing / Split-Tail Carving. The Original Paint displays the Classic Black Duck Pattern and the Closed Eye and Bill Paint are quite Elaborate. Wood also used an “Orange” Dowel to represent the legs of the Black Duck. Measurements: 5” in length, 2 1/8” in width, and 4” in height, including the Base. It is Signed on the Bottom of the Base “John Wood”. A Spectacular Miniature Sleeping Black Duck.

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Price $195 plus shipping

An Eye-Catching Decorative Snuggle Head Snipe Carving by Roy Legaux, Sr., St. Bernard, Louisiana. Legaux is a Well-Know Louisiana Decoy Carver featured in Charlie Frank’s Louisiana Duck Decoys and Loy Harrell’s Decoys: Sixty Living and Outstanding North American Carvers. This Exceptional Snuggle Head Snipe displays a Bold Breast, Subtle Relief Wing Carving, and an Extended Bill indicative of the Snipe. The Highly Detailed Original Paint captures the Exquisite Beauty of the “cryptically patterned” Feathering of this bird of wetland habitats. Measurements: 8 ½” in length, 3” in width, and 7” in height, including the base (8” L x 7” W). An Exceptional Vision of the Common Snipe.

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Price $515 plus shipping

An Excellent Miniature Ring-Necked Pheasant by Harold N. Gibbs (1886 – 1970), Barrington, Rhode Island, circa 1960s. Gibbs created a wide variety of miniature Duck Decoys and Game Birds over his life time, always attempting to capture the essence of the bird’s color and form. Gibbs was a very engaged biologist studying the fish and wildlife of Narragansett Bay, and he also hunted the Bay with a variety of decoys, primarily hunting Bluebills found in his area.  A fine discussion of Gibbs work can be found in Joe Ellis’ Birds in Wood and Paint. This Miniature Pheasant displays a dynamic carving pattern for the bird and the quality of Gibbs’ brush to recreate the splendid color pattern of the Ring-Neck. The degree of detail Gibbs employs with his brush is simply incredible. The little bird measures 6” in length, 3” of which is the tail, 1 ¼” in width, and 2 ½” in height. It is in Excellent Original Paint and Condition and is Signed “HNGibbs”; note that the middle initial “N” links together the H & G. A Wonderful Example of a Gibbs’ Miniature.

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Price $675 plus shipping