Makers / Cassius Smith / Black Duck

Cassius Smith Turned-head Black Duck

Cassius Smith (1847-1907) Milford, CT, c. 1880

Cassius Smith – Turned-Head Black Duck – 2019
$900
Brought, including buyer's premium
Estimate $600–$900
Sold 25 Jul 2019at The Sporting Sale 2019 — Copley

See this lot at Copley →

SpeciesBlack DuckPoseTurned headPaintOriginal

The catalog record

Cassius Smith (1847-1907) Milford, CT, c. 1880 14 1/2 in.

With superb fat body form, this hollow decoy has captured the imagination of three separate authors. Original paint and old working re-paint with heavy gunning wear and repair to bill.

Provenance: Dr. S. Lloyd Newberry Collection

Literature: Dixon MacD. Merkt, "Shang: A Biography of Charles E. Wheeler," Spanish Fork, UT, 1984, p. 151, exact decoy illustrated. Henry C. Chitwood, "Connecticut Decoys," West Chester, PA, 1987, p. 132, exact decoy illustrated. Gene and Linda Kangas, "Decoys: A North American Survey," Spanish Fork, UT, 1983, p. 87, pl. 144, exact decoy illustrated.

Provenance

Dr. S. Lloyd Newberry Collection

Comparable sales

The 4 most recent Cassius Smith Black Ducks to cross the block.

SoldConditionPaintBrought
Jul 2025—Original$780
12 Feb 2016—Repaint$720
Jul 2013—Original$633
26 Jul 2007——$1,000

Same maker and species, most recent first. Prices include the buyer's premium. All Cassius Smith sales