The Art of the Decoy: American Bird Carvings

By Random House and Adele Earnest

Book Overview

The carved bird decoy is the only truly American folk art - for the decoy as an aid to hunting was devised by the American Indians and has grown as a useful art since the days of the colonists. Decoy-carving was developed and refined to such a degree that now early and well-carved birds are prized by collectors. This book, full of stunning photographs, shows the best examples from both public and private collections, and gives the reader an idea of the great range, vigor, and variety of the birds. There are sandpipers, curlews, ducks, geese, swans, gulls, herons, crows, loons, and many others - (loons, being wary, were used as confidence birds). Along with the birds are explanations of the highly varied and ingenious methods of construction.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0517097338
• ISBN13: 9780517097335
• Release Date: December 1988
• Publisher: Random House Value Publishing
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 1.90 lbs.

Customer Reviews

the art of the decoys

here is a real history in the art of decoy carvings.one can pick it up and see just how far we have advance in the art of carving decoys.one has the ability to see the different stiles, and ways the artist has come to copy feathered friends.being a carver myself, it was very enjoyable reading.very informative.