Top Level : Harvesting : Waterfowl : Duck Decoys

Female Mallard Decoy, circa 1930s.
Made by Joseph Rehmer, Momence, Illinois.
Wood, Approx. 13 inches long.
Illinois State Museum Collection (1967.14, 798953)
Gift of Joseph Rehmer.

Joseph Rehmer (1894- ) and his brother Lawrence (1888- ) made only eighteen mallard decoys for themselves. They did not live on the Illinois River, but came from Momence, on the Indiana border. This example of a female mallard carved by an amateur carver shows the realistic detail with which he painted the feather patterns on his two-piece hollow construction decoys with purchased eyes.

Photograph by Gary Andrashko, ISM.

<b>Female Mallard Decoy</b>, circa 1930s. <br> Made by Joseph Rehmer, Momence, Illinois. <br> Wood, Approx. 13 inches long.<br>Illinois State Museum Collection (1967.14, 798953)<br> Gift of Joseph Rehmer. <p> Joseph Rehmer (1894- ) and his brother Lawrence (1888- ) made only eighteen mallard decoys for themselves. They did not live on the Illinois River, but came from Momence, on the Indiana border. This example of a female mallard carved by an amateur carver shows the realistic detail with which he painted the feather patterns on his two-piece hollow construction decoys with purchased eyes.</p>