Object Details
- Artist
- Unidentified (American)
- Luce Center Label
- North American hunters have used decoys for centuries. Native Americans made decoys from reeds, clay, and stuffed skins to lure migrating birds within range of their arrows or spears. European pioneers adopted this technique, and by the early nineteenth century both commercial and sport hunters used carved wooden decoys. Craftsmen shape and decorate decoys either to imitate the desired bird’s prey or “trick” them into thinking it is safe to land.
- Credit Line
- Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr.
- early 20th century
- Object number
- 1988.74.18
- Restrictions & Rights
- CC0
- Type
- Sculpture
- Folk Art
- Medium
- carved and painted wood
- Dimensions
- 7 3/4 x 14 5/8 x 6 3/8 in. (19.7 x 37.2 x 16.2 cm.)
- See more items in
- Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection
- Department
- Painting and Sculpture
- On View
- Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 3rd Floor, 28A
- Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center
- Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 3rd Floor
- Smithsonian American Art Museum
- Topic
- Animal\bird\duck
- Record ID
- saam_1988.74.18
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/vk7bac04543-3511-4233-a024-fdf0474fe313
