Keepers Of Tradition
 
  Introduction        Folk Arts & Heritage Program        Search Archives        Blog
Browse themes:
 
  useful things made beautiful PreviousNext
 
Working decoy
 
Five Steps of Making a Green winged Teal Decoy, Working decoy, 1990; Bob Brophy (b. 1932); Essex, Massachusetts; Wood, paint; 6 1/4 x 35 1/4 x 11 in.; plus pattern block; Collection of the artist; Photography by Jason Dowdle
Five Steps of Making a Green winged Teal Decoy, Working decoy, 1990
Bob Brophy (b. 1932)
Essex, Massachusetts
Wood, paint
6 1/4 x 35 1/4 x 11 in.; plus pattern block
Collection of the artist
Photography by Jason Dowdle
 
Bob Brophy working on a decoy: 2000:
verticle bar Artist
Bob Brophy
Essex, MA
"If it doesn't have feathers on it, I don't carve it," says woodworker Bob Brophy who grew up on a small farm in Easton where hunting was a part of every year and a necessary food source during the winter months. Bob carves decoys with knives, chisels, and files rather than power tools. He is known as a "knife man" in the trade. This piece shows his process from a block of wood to a finished decoy. He uses a block of eastern white cedar for the body and basswood for the head. That way, he can direct the grain of the wood used for the bill.
verticle bar Appears in Exhibit verticle bar Purchase Exhibition Catalogue