M1160 Miniature Widgeon Decoy hand carved and painted by Lloyd J. Tyler (1898-1971) of Crisfield, MD. Measurements: 5 1/8” long x 2 ½” wide x 3” tall.
Lloyd Tyler carved his first decoy at the age of twelve using a seven-cent spokeshave, a fifteen-cent pocketknife and a twenty-five-cent hatchet (Sorenson, "Tyler" 4). Years later, he realized the potential for a successful carving career. After completing a program at the Toronto art school, Tyler began making decoys during the hunting seasons and doing commercial art during the off seasons. Canada geese and other species common to the area comprised the bulk of Tyler's utilitarian carvings. Tyler selected pieces of wood corresponding to the size of the species he wanted to carve. Using no more than a hatchet, a rasp and a spokeshave, he produced rather crude decoys that nonetheless did the job. His paint patterns are basic, and he never painted the bottoms, claiming it was a waste of time and paint.
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