Black Duck Decoy
Louis C. Rathmell (1898-1974)
Danbury, CT, c. 1945
17 3/4 in. long

The maker’s refined head carving, dynamic poses, and exceptional scratch and feather paint place him alongside Shang Wheeler as Stratford's finest carvers. Published article titles on Rathmell include "Gentleman carvers of Connecticut" and "Lou Rathmell: A decoy maker who lived in a castle." The body was made with a very thick wooden bottom board and cork top, and features a turned head and inserted wooden tail.

Condition:  Original paint with light gunning wear, minimal darkening to body, and touch-up to bill tip.

Literature:
Cliff Alexander, "Lou Rathmell: A decoy maker who lived in a castle," Decoy Magazine, November/December 2015, p. 25 and front cover, rigmates illustrated.
 
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