Attributed John Henry Downes (VA, 1863-1961), Calling Black Duck

Townsend, Virginia, before 1900, carved and painted wood.

Length 16.5 in.

An extremely rare decoy, Downes was a master in creating animated poses with his working decoys.

Original paint worn to bare wood in most places, multiple age checks in body and head, neck crack, seam separation on the hollow body.