Oscar Peterson, Cadillac, Michigan Folk Art, Spear Fishing Working Decoy, Hand Carved Perch

Item Details

"Fishing by cutting holes in the ice and using decoys to bring fish within spearing distance was totally unknown to the rest of the world, and was adopted by Americans in the Upper Midwest who learned the technique from indigenous fishermen in the early 19th Century.  European and colonial travelers learned of the use of decoys as tools for fishing through the ice and there are many stories of early encounters."  (Source: http://fishdecoy.com/history.html for more detailed information of these encounters, going back to 1762.)

Such decoys are truly one of the earliest forms of American folk art.  We are fortunate to have obtained this perch spear fishing decoy made by renowned carver Oscar Peterson (1887-1951) from a long-time collector here in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.  Such lures are so intriguing - to think they were created to actually attract fish to feed one's family during the harsh, long winters here.  This is something to remember when we look at these works of art sitting so regally on display in our homes today!

This working decoy was made solely for utilitarian purposes sometime around the 1920s.  Peterson made them in his Cadillac, Michigan home and sold them to local bait shops as well as to sportsmen and tourists who stopped at his home.  Having its original painted and varnished surface, the decoy shows some paint loss without any touch ups or repairs.  (Peterson applied the varnish to protect the paint while the decoy was in the water.)  The red gills and mouth are relief carved, the eyes are domed tacks, and the fins are painted metal.  Within the underside there are two lead-weighted chambers.  The perch has 6 stripes on each side with shaded, blended dots in between.  Note the tail is carved off to one side to make it look more realistic than if it were left straight with the rest of the body.  We have provided many photos for your review.

Measures 6-3/4" long x 1-3/4" left fin to right fin x 1-1/8" high not including metal hanger.

Please be certain to see our other Oscar Peterson spear fishing decoy of a northern pike.

For more info see:

1) "Beneath the Ice: The Art of the Spearfishing Decoy", which opened at the Museum of American Folk Art in New York and toured eight other museums during its two year run.

2) "Michigan's Master Carver, Oscar W. Peterson, by Ronald J. Fritz.