Vintage Weighted Large Carved Wood and Painted Fish Decoy Metal Fins Marked RLD
Description: A very nice vintage large (~14" long) and heavy (~ 1 lb. 3 oz) weighted fish decoy made of wood with metal fins. The decoy is weighted with what we believe is lead. This decoy appears to be carved of wood and is painted in green and off-white with black dots along the sides. The entire decoy appears to be carved of a single piece of wood, shows the tail curving to the left of the fish. The decoy has 7 metal fins of ferrous material as they stick to a magnet. The fins are also painted in green with black dots highlights. The fins are secured in the wooden body and some are curved as opposed to being flat. The piece has a carved mouth painted in red. It also has eyes (we believe are made of plastic) above the mouth. The top fin has 5 holes from which the decoy could be attached before using it in the water. The weight on the bottom of the decoy has the letters "RLD" carved in it. These letters are most likely the initials of the carver who made the decoy. The bottom of the fish is painted in an off-white coloring and shows that there is material that is inserted into the wood to give the piece its weight. The material which we believe is lead has been painted over and has the initials RLD carved in it. Please carefully review the photos presented as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: Uncertain, but most likely sometime in the mid 20th century. Could be earlier.
Origin: Purchased at an estate sale in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Size: Measures ~14" long, ~3 3/4" at its widest (at the front fins), and about ~3 1/2" at its highest (where the top fin is located). The piece weighs about 1 pound and 3 ounces.
Maker: Unknown.
Marks: Marked with the letters "RLD" on the bottom.
Distinguishing Characteristics - Most Interesting About The Piece: Truly a nice and very interesting large fish decoy. A beautiful and nice vintage piece which would make a worthy addition to your collection of fish decoys.
Condition: This large and unusual (Size and Weight) fish decoy is in very good condition, with no breaks, or repairs. The piece has a few scratches, a few dings to the surface, a couple of surface holes (we believe this is where nails were used to hold the top fin in place-this is original to the making), and minor losses to the paint especially on the fins, the edge of the tail and the front of the fish. The piece has some wear at the edges of the tail and losses of paint to the fins. The piece is clean and the colors are still vivid. A true beauty worthy of a spot in your collection. Please view the photos for additional condition information.
