This is a fantastic example of a Charles Perdew (1874-1863) carved miniature mallard duck. 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 carvers, some he even personally taught. His expertise and unique style shine in this miniature mallard drake which stands on a piece of knotty pine with his wings extended back. Until 1941 Perdew's wife Edna painted most of his work, however this example has the obvious painting style of Charles himself. It is very beautifully done with bright and brilliant colors and the detail is unbelievable. There is a piece of green felt on the bottom. The base is 1 inch by 1 1/4 inches and it stands 2 1/4 inches to the top of his head.

Excellent with all of the beautiful brilliant colors remaining. A super example of a miniature Perdew.