This is a super example of a miniature carved mallard done by Charles Perdew (1874-1963). Perdew was the best known and most prolific decoy carver on the Illinois River, having carved thousands of decoys over a 60 year career. Perdew has also carved a few crow decoys, (there was once a bounty on dead crows in the State of Illinois), but mostly carved puddle ducks, mallards, pintail, green and blue winged teat, canvasback, bluebill, wood and diver ducks, and geese. Perdew used a drawknife, wood gouge, whittling knife, and a make shift mechanical sanded fashioned from an old treadle sewing machine. Perdew influenced many Illinois carves, some he even personally taught. His expertise and unique style shine in this miniature mallard drake which stands on a piece of pine bark with his wings extended. Until 1941 Perdew's wife Edna painted most of his work, however this example has the obvious painting style of Charles himself., and it is very beautifully done. There is a piece of green felt on the bottom. The base is 2 inches long, 1 5/8 inches wide and it stands 1 1/2 inches at it's highest point.