SCARCE HARVE DAVERN (ONTARIO, CANADA, 1864–1958) EARLY to MID-20TH CENTURY, PRE-WWII CANADIAN FOLK ART, ANTIQUE PRIMITIVE GOLDENEYE DRAKE, HAND CARVED, SOLID WHITE CEDAR SPORTING DUCK DECOY, featuring ORIGINAL GLASS EYES, DISTINCTIVE DAVERN SHAPED, CARVED HEAD & with LARGELY ORIGINAL, FIRST GENERATION PAINTED SURFACES, in
DRY, MATTE FINISH
[This specific decoy is an antique Goldeneye Drake carved by Harve Davern of Brighton, Ontario, Canada. He was active in the early to mid 20th century. Harve Davern (1864–1958) is a highly regarded Ontario carver known for producing rugged, hollow and solid-bodied working decoys for the region's challenging hunting conditions. Davern's regional Ontario style is characterized by a sleek, low-slung body profile, distinctively carved bills, and a prominent cheek structure. His Goldeneye Drakes feature a distinctive drop-sloping, white body block contrasted against a dark, rounded head and back, typically highlighted with subtle, regional scratch-painted feathering patterns. True Harve Davern pieces frequently feature his name or region incised or written in vintage script on the flat underbelly—such as 'Harve Davern, Brighton, ONTARIO' though some original working decoys from his active rigs also carry stamped initials of early owners or copper collector tags. Very nice.]
(Circa 1920-1936)
Early to mid-20th century Canadian folk art, antique primitive, hand carved solid white cedar, hand decorated sporting duck decoys with glass eyes
DIMENSIONS:
5 ¾" Height x 17 ½" Length x 6 ½" Depth
Weight: 2 lbs. 2 oz.
DESCRIPTION:
This specific decoy is an antique Goldeneye Drake carved by Harve Davern of Brighton, Ontario, Canada. He was active in the early to mid 20th century. Harve Davern (1864–1958) is a highly regarded Ontario carver known for producing rugged, hollow and solid-bodied working decoys for the region's challenging hunting conditions. Davern's regional Ontario style is characterized by a sleek, low-slung body profile, distinctively carved bills, and a prominent cheek structure. His Goldeneye Drakes feature a distinctive drop-sloping, white body block contrasted against a dark, rounded head and back, typically highlighted with subtle, regional scratch-painted feathering patterns. True Harve Davern pieces frequently feature his name or region incised or written in vintage script on the flat underbelly—such as 'Harve Davern, Brighton, ONTARIO' though some original working decoys from his active rigs also carry stamped initials of early owners or copper collector tags. Very nice.
CONDITION:
Good to Very Good overall antique condition.