Stark Black Working Decoy with Marvelously Hooked Old Beak Repair primitive carved print block and published by Paul Elder

and published by Paul Elder and Company

A bit of staining along the left edge

First detail (2nd image) was shot in natural light and shows color most accurately

these have an older Bennington mark

Stark Black Working Decoy with Marvelously Hooked Old Beak Repair primitive carved print block and published by Paul ElderThis 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