Capt. John C. Schweikart (1870-1954)
Detroit and Strawberry Island, MI, c. 1910
17 in. long
A rare hollow St. Clair Flats, Detroit River decoy exhibiting glass eyes, carved bill detail, the maker's "signature" bull neck, aluminum wing tips and primaries, a hollowed head, and a unique two-piece copper bottom plate which, when unlatched, provides a winged keel. John Schweikart lived and worked in Detroit. He and his brother Carl were boatbuilders, who also built racing yachts on the Detroit waterfront. John would sail his own boat, "The Huntress," in regattas and to his camp on Strawberry Island in Lake St. Clair to hunt and fish.
Original paint with gunning wear and touch-up.
Provenance: Dr. John Dinan Collection
Literature: Robert Shaw, "Bird Decoys of North America," New York, NY, 2010, dust jacket and pp. 236-237, related examples illustrated.
Joe Engers, ed. "The Great Book of Wildfowl Decoys," San Diego, CA, 1990, p. 215, related pair
Condition
Please email condition report requests to colin@copleyart.com. Any condition statement given is a courtesy to customers, Copley will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition.