Coot Decoy

DatePossibly 1910-1930

MediumCarved and painted wood (possibly heart pine)

DimensionsOL: 12", OH: 5 1/2", OW: 4 1/2"

Credit LineGift of Miss Quinitina Colio

Object number1985.702.3

DescriptionDetailed carving of a dark green bird with yellow beak, red spot at top of beak, red eyes with black centers, white underneath tail, yellow legs barely stick up as if out of surface of water. Body color dark, almost black-green. Carved of one piece of wood. Detailed carving of legs, tail feathers, etc. Give a naturalistic appearance. Hole bored in bottom, which is painted white.
Label TextThe modeling and carved details of the legs make this a most unusual bird, particularly if it was intended to function as a decoy. Because many species of wildfowl are quite easily fooled or lured, the forms of working decoys generally were more simply and abstractly rendered than this piece, and paint was applied to them in patterns and colors that were pleasing and decorative but not necessarily lifelike. By contrast, the shaping carving and painting of this bird quite obviously represent and attempt to simulate the naturalistic appearance of a coot.

The wood, possible heart pine, is quite heavy, which indicates that the piece was not meant to float. However other types of decoys were used extensively and a hole in the bottom suggests that it may have had a pole or dowel inserted so that it could function as a "stick-up". It also might have sat directly on the mud flats usually frequented by live coots. Finally, it may simply have been intended as an ornamental carving.

ProvenanceGift of MMiss Quintina Colio, N.Y. N.Y., acquired from a dealer in Wisconsin