Rare Cajun wooden decoy carved by "Tatie" Pertuit Old Louisiana Carver

Description: A rare antique 13” Duck decoy carved by Theodule "Tatie" Pertuit (1909-1973), noted carver and boat builder from Raceland, Louisiana. He and his brother Dewey Pertuit (1901-1967) lived next door to each other near Raceland. Their work featured keel weights that involved lead poured into a mold they created using a special pipe. Their painting techniques were simple and bold and the two brothers were among many famous carvers who lived on Bayou Lafourche. The neck on this decoy had broken off and was glued back into place decades ago as was the custom among hunters who accidentally damaged a valued decoy. This example has seen much use and the pictures show that very well as it adds to the collectability of this rare piece of American decoy history. It is believed that this decoy is one of the decoys Tatie carved from pieces of wood he brought home from his work at the Avondale Shipyard near New Orleans. Cedar Higgins boats left over from WWII were regarded as refuse and he brought pieces home from his work at the yard to be repurposed as decoys. Higgin boats were those made in New Orleans and played a star role in the storming of Normandy Beach. It is unclear how Higgins Boat manufacturing moved from his small boatyard to the much larger Avondale facility but is presumed that wartime demand would better facilitate the mass manufacture of this craft as it was the primary troop carrier on the D-Day storming of Nazi-occupied Normandy, France. This specimen is a ring-neck crafted in their familiar open water style. Despite its' obvious flaws the decoy is a treasure among prized decoys by South Louisiana carvers.

Price: 550 USD

Location: Mount Hermon, Louisiana

End Time: 2024-11-27T13:34:17.000Z

Shipping Cost: 6 USD