Lateral view radiograph, Canvasback Drake 1956-707.79
1 2017-06-26T12:00:48-07:00 Lesley Day Mirling 3670b61b9eba655d6cf36db8e509081714fc05b1 4136 3 This is an example of a canvas-covered, solid-carved decoy. This radiograph was produced in the Clinical Radiology department at the University of Vermont Medical Center. plain 2017-08-06T06:07:45-07:00 1956-707.79 Shelburne Museum Nancie Ravenel bc84e2b969fab7c5f039797f42318c7fcfc8159bThis page is referenced by:
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Canvasback Drake 1956-707.79
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Unknown maker, circa 1910; Michigan or Toronto (Great Lakes)
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This decoy is an example of a canvas-covered, carved wood decoy. It has a similar appearance to others in the collection made by the Reeves family of Long Point, Ontario, Canada and is attributed to the same general area of the Great Lakes. The Reeves were known to cover hollow or solid carved decoys with painted canvas. The canvas was added with the intention of cutting out glare that was present on painted wood when wet.
This canvasback is made by covering a solid carved wood body with canvas, and securing the canvas with tacks around the neck joint, through the center of the breast and rump, and around the circumference of the bottom. The carved wood head is a separate piece and its method of attachment is visible in the lateral view radiograph. A large screw is deeply countersunk from the bottom into the body and screwed into the neck and one nail is driven into the neck and body. The hole in the bottom was plugged. The glass eyes were set into metal bezels, and a tin keel with lead weight were attached to the bottom with nails driven into the body.
Birdshot is visible in both the lateral and anterior-posterior view radiographs. It is of note that evidence of the majority of the birdshot seen in the radiographs is not visible on the surface of the decoy body, meaning that the decoy had been shot over previously before this canvas covering was applied.
