Origin: Possibly Southern
Date: Early 20th century
Materials & Dimensions: Carved wood with original painted surface. 26½ inches high, 10 inches wide, 29 inches deep.

Description:
This large painted swan decoy is a rare and highly expressive example of American folk sculpture. The exaggerated form, elongated neck, and simplified body create a powerful sculptural presence, while the original painted surface has developed a beautiful patina that enhances the object’s character and age.

Carved with laminated construction, the decoy balances functional bird form with bold abstraction. The long horizontal body and upright neck give the piece a striking silhouette, while the restrained black-and-white painted decoration emphasizes the essential shape of the bird rather than naturalistic detail.

Its scale, surface, and dramatic form make it an especially compelling example of a swan decoy as folk sculpture.

Provenance:
John Dillworth.
Ricco Maresca Gallery, New York, April 1987.

Published:
Roger Ricco and Frank Maresca, American Primitive: Discoveries in Folk Sculpture (New York, 1988), p. 153.