John C. Schweikart Canvasback Hen

Capt. John C. Schweikart (1870-1954) Detroit and Strawberry Island, MI, c. 1910 17 in. long

A rare hollow St. Clair Flats, Detroit River decoy exhibiting glass eyes, carved bill detail, the maker's "signature" bull neck, aluminum wing tips and primaries, a hollowed head, and a unique two-piece copper bottom plate which, when unlatched, provides a winged keel.

John Schweikart lived and worked in Detroit. He and his brother Carl were boatbuilders, who also built racing yachts on the Detroit waterfront. John would sail his own boat, "The Huntress," in regattas and to his camp on Strawberry Island in Lake St. Clair to hunt and fish. Original paint with gunning wear and touch-up.

Provenance: Dr. John Dinan Collection

Literature: Robert Shaw, "Bird Decoys of North America," New York, NY, 2010, dust jacket and pp. 236-237, related examples illustrated. Joe Engers, ed. "The Great Book of Wildfowl Decoys," San Diego, CA, 1990, p. 215, related pair illustrated. Donna Tonelli, "Fish and Fowl Decoys of the Great Lakes," Atglen, PA, 2002, p. 62, related example illustrated.

Provenance

Dr. John Dinan Collection