Overview
A beautifully stylized, hand-carved wooden duck decoy representing a male Wood Duck, complete with its signature swept-back crest. The piece features a rich, warm-toned stained finish that highlights the natural grain of the wood, accented by striking red glass taxidermy eyes. The flat underside is hand-signed, dated '3/10/86', numbered 'WD-86-030', and features a branded 'ROBIN' mark.
Story
On March 10, 1986, artisan D.V. Robin completed this elegant wood duck, marking it as the 30th carving of that year. While traditional working decoys were painted to fool waterfowl, this decorative carving was designed to celebrate the natural, organic beauty of the wood itself.
Maker / Origin
D.V. Robin was an active American wildlife carver during the late 20th-century decoy boom, a period when traditional hunting tools fully transitioned into highly collected folk art. Robin's work is characterized by clean, stylized lines, a focus on rich wood grains, and meticulous cataloging marks on the underside of each piece.
Condition & Value
The decoy appears to be in excellent original condition with no visible chips, cracks, or deep scratches. The original finish is well-preserved with a lovely luster, and the glass eyes are intact. This excellent preservation helps hold the item at the higher end of its value range.