Jim Schmiedlin Wigeon Drake

Jim Schmiedlin (1945-2015) Bradford Woods, PA c. 1981 17" long

Jim's carvings are amongst the most sought after of any working decoy maker who carved in the last 70 years. He mastered his own unique, original, and highly identifiable look. Best known for his exceptional working decoys, for a brief period in the 80's, Jim spent some creative time exploring the world of highly detailed decoratives. Though very talented at creating detailed decoy style duck carvings, Jim always enjoyed the less fussy working decoys where the only judge on the quality of his work were the ducks coming into the decoys.

The widgeon is solid bodied and has many layers of relief carved wings on the back, leading to raised and crossed wing tips with four lifted wing tip feathers flanking between them and the carved in speculums. The relief carved and raised feathers are softly gouged in linear patterns to provide the texturing of the feathers. Six intricately carved tail feathers are on each side of the three layered tail sprig. The head is gently turned off to the left. The underside of the bill is accurately carved and the white crest is gently rasped down the back of the neck.

Underside is signed and dated.

Condition: Near mint, slight chipping to the tip of the middle tail sprig.