Charles Schoenheider, Sr. Standing Pintail Drake

Charles S. Schoenheider Sr. (1854-1924) Peoria, IL, c. 1910 18 in long, 13 1/2 in tall

Exceptionally well crafted, these rare standing “ice” decoys are sought after by decoy and folk art collectors alike. Very few makers made standing decoys, and none finer than Schoenheider. In his lifetime, Schoenheider produced only a few dozen standing decoys, consisting of mallards, pintails, and Canada geese. These birds were mounted on cast metal legs and used for late season shooting on the ice. The seam lines of this hollow decoy are very clean and precise for a bird of this age.

This pintail is out of Schoenheider’s personal gunning rig and is stenciled “C.S. PEORIA” on the belly. An added bonus to this sculpture is the original metal foot which also bears the “CS” stencil, many of these original castings have been lost.

The importance of Schoenheider’s influence on the region is illustrated by three major decoy books highlighting his work on their covers, including “The Great Book of Wildfowl Decoys,” “Masterworks of the Illinois River,” and “Bird Decoys of North America.” Original paint with gunning wear, touch-up, and some working paint taken down, mostly on white. Belly appears to be re-stenciled "C. S. PEORIA" by the maker. Original stick hole was likely plugged at the same time. Original foot.

Provenance: Peter Brams Collection, acquired from Stephen O'Brien Jr. Fine Arts, 2001 Private Collection, Florida

Literature: Alan Haid, "Decoys of the Mississippi Flyway," Exton, PA, 1981, pp. 85 and 153, rigmate illustrated. Adele Earnest, "The Art of the Decoy: American Bird Carvings," New York, NY, 1965, p. 123, pl. 107, rigmate illustrated. Sotheby's and Guyette and Schmidt, "American Waterfowl Decoys: The Distinguished Collection of Dr. James M. McCleery," New York, NY, 2000, p. 53, lot 87, rigmate illustrated. Robert Shaw, "Call to the Sky: The Decoy Collection of James M. McCleery, M.D.," Houston, TX, 1992, pp. 106-107, rigmate illustrated. Robert Shaw, "Bird Decoys of North America," New York, NY, 2010, dust-jacket spine, Masterworks rigmates illustrated. Stephen O'Brien Jr. and Julie Carlson, "Masterworks of the Illinois River," Boston, MA, 2005, pp. 42-46 rigmates illustrated. Stephen O'Brien Jr. Fine Arts, "2001 Catalog," Boston, MA, 2001, p. 37, exact decoy illustrated.

Provenance

Peter Brams Collection, acquired from Stephen O'Brien Jr. Fine Arts, 2001 Private Collection, Florida