John C. Schweikart High-head Canvasback

Capt. John C. Schweikart (1870-1954) Strawberry Island, MI, c. 1910 15 1/2 in. long

This decoy was selected for Walsh and Jackson's "Waterfowl Decoys of Michigan and the Lake St. Clair Region." One of the finest Schweikart canvasbacks known, its bull head is the highest of any. John Schweikart lived and worked in Detroit. He and his brother Carl were motorboat and racing yacht builders. In addition to serving as the president of Schweikart Boat Works, John was an avid outdoorsman. He would sail his own boat, "The Huntress," to victory in regattas and to his camp on Strawberry Island on Lake St. Clair to hunt and fish.

This drake exhibits a high version of Schweikart's signature bull neck. His construction is meticulous and unique; the wing tips are aluminum, a two-piece copper bottom plate provides a winged keel, and even the head was hand hollowed. The underside is branded "Kangas." Old paint with moderate gunning wear.

Provenance: Kangas Collection of International Folk Art and Decoys Private Collection

Literature: Clune Walsh Jr. and Lowell G. Jackson, "Waterfowl Decoys of Michigan and the Lake St. Clair Region," Detroit, MI, 1983, pl. 2-3, and p. 29, exact decoy illustrated. Guyette & Deeter, “North American Decoys at Auction April 21 & 22, 2016,” Portsmouth, NH, page 77, lot 139, exact decoy illustrated.

Provenance

Kangas Collection of International Folk Art and Decoys Private Collection