The Art of the Decoy

We were honored when Duke approached us about curating this exhibit. The history of the decoy is broad and deep. The story that we primarily wanted to tell is that of the transformation of the decoy as a utilitarian object to that of a work of art.

Those who are drawn to decoys are, typically, equally drawn by lure of the outdoors. Fishing, hiking, and just enjoying the beauty of a clear day can also be seen in the eye of a finely carved duck. If this inspires you, you might be asking yourself, "how can I learn more?" We are so glad that you did.
Many of the decoys you have seen today will be offered for sale, at auction, in Leland Little's Spring Sporting Art Auction on March 2, 2023. We invite you to come to our Hillsborough gallery and speak with our Sporting Art Director, Robbie Smith. Use our auction as a classroom to learn more - read the catalogues, learn about the carvers and how these ducks were used. You might just be inspired to bring one home. Leland Little Auctions