Stark Black Working Decoy with Marvelously Hooked Old Beak Repair shield with anchor and a patina that makes

and a patina that makes one feel it was prized and used

7 1/2 x 4 15/16 in (17

and wraps around nearly half of the vase

specifically--and especially that of this red-headed man

and with this lovely portrait of a woman with cross on top

Stark Black Working Decoy with Marvelously Hooked Old Beak Repair shield with anchor and a patina that makesThis might not be the decoy for the decoy connoisseur, but for the lover of highly evocative, very singular sculptural objects, I think it is a most fantastic thing! It is very clear, especially from the top of the head, that this working decoy was shot over quite a bit, and I assume its original beak took the worst of the hits. Someone appears to have valued it enough to carve, paint, and attach a new one, transforming its profile and character