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Michael Warren: Broadbill Duck Decoy Few art forms are as uniquely American as the duck decoy ... for it was the American Indians who first developed the art of hand-crafted decoys. More than one thousand years ago the Indians crafted decoys from wood, reeds, and mud to lure waterfowl ... and then later taught their craft to the colonists. By 1850 decoys were crafted to resemble more than fifty species of water birds. Some master woodworkers made duck decoy carving their profession and devoted full time to the craft. However sportsmen, farmers, and art lovers also produced many decoys. Most of the decoys produced were of two varieties -- the stickups, which are the oldest type, and floating decoys. The stickup decoys were crafted mainly along the Atlantic coastline where they were pushed into the sand to attract shorebirds such as the curlew, sandpiper, and plover. Floating decoys, however, were more prevalent, for they were carved to imitate both sea and inland ducks. From the multicolored hues of Mallard drakes ... to the distinctive shape and striking plumage of the Broadbill duck decoys ... the floating duck decoys of yesteryear captured the character and beauty of America's rich waterfowl heritage. Today, many of these prized antique duck decoys are housed in the famed Shelburne Museum of Shelburne, Vermont. Artwork Copyright © 1984 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.
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