Very Large Antique Hand-Carved and Painted Cork and Wood Canadian Goose Decoy. The head is carved and affixed to a flat piece of wood on the bottom with two plastic-capped screws, while the main body is carved out of corkwood. An indistinct signature appears to be on the top left edge of the body. The letter "A" is gouged largely into the underside of the wood bottom. 

Size: 10 x 10 1/2 x 22 in. 

Duck decoys are man-made objects used by hunters since ancient times to lure waterfowl by creating a false sense of security through the appearance of a safe flock. While early versions were made of clay or organic materials by ancient Egyptians and Native Americans, highly detailed wooden carvings emerged as a distinct North American craft in the 19th Century. Modern production transitioned from wood to papier-mâché and eventually plastic, with current technology often incorporating battery-powered motion to simulate realistic movement like spinning wings. Beyond their practical use, decoys have become recognized as a significant form of folk art, a movement sparked by collector Joel Barber in 1918 and furthered by several influential books on the subject. This appreciation has driven the collector market to record heights, with master-carved antique pieces by artists like A. Elmer Crowell selling for over one million dollars since 2007.

  • Condition:

    All items are sold AS IS. Lot and condition details are for descriptive purposes only. Sarasota Estate Auction is not responsible for errors and/or omissions of condition. The absence of a condition report does not imply that the lot is perfect or free from wear, flaws, or characteristics of age. Please bid according to your own expertise, or request any additional information and/or photographs you deem necessary.

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Shipping

BIDDER MUST ARRANGE THEIR OWN SHIPPING. Although SEA will NOT arrange shipping for you, we do recommend our preferred shipper Premier Shipping & Crating at [email protected]
You MUST email them, please do not call. If you'd like to compare shipping quotes or need more options, feel free to contact any local Sarasota shippers. You can email any one of the shippers below as well. Be sure to include the lot(s) you won and address you would like it shipped to.
Brennan with The UPS Store #0089 - 941-413-5998 - [email protected]
AK with The UPS Store #2689 - 941-954-4575 - [email protected]
Steve with The UPS Store #4074 - 941-358-7022 - [email protected]
Everett with PakMail - 941-751-2070 - [email protected]

by Sarasota Estate Auction
June 14, 2026 11:00 AM EDT
522 South Pineapple Avenue
Sarasota , FL, US 34236

Sarasota Estate Auction

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $249 $25
$250 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,499 $100
$2,500 $7,499 $250
$7,500 $19,999 $500
$20,000 $49,999 $1,000
$50,000 $99,999 $2,500
$100,000 $249,999 $5,000
$250,000 $499,999 $10,000
$500,000 + $25,000