Pike Decoy

Accession Number
2002/1.216

Title
Pike Decoy

Artist(s)
Oscar Peterson

Object Creation Date
circa 1928

Medium & Support
carved and painted wood and painted metal

Dimensions
1 7/16 x 7 11/16 x 1 13/16 in. (3.5 x 19.5 x 4.5 cm);1 7/16 x 7 11/16 x 1 13/16 in. (3.5 x 19.5 x 4.5 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of The Daniel and Harriet Fusfeld Folk Art Collectionn

Label copy
Growing up in Grayling, Michigan, an area where fishing was a popular past time, Oscar William Peterson was able to use his talent and skill to support himself. Being an avid fisherman himself, he started carving fish decoys, of which he is regarded as a master. Carving a variety of fish was something he prided himself on in order to interest all fisherman.
Peterson's fish were used for both functional and decorative purposes. His basic design consisted of protruding jaws, curved and slender bodies, as well as realistic coloring techniques. Using wood as his primary material, he also employed metal fittings for fasteners and fins. Peterson made a name for himself among the fishing communities with his decoys. They continue to be sought after by fisherman and collectors alike.
Denise Patterson
Modern and Contemporary Intern
2002

Subject matter
Used for both functional and decorative purposes, the decoy of a Pike fish is typical of Peterson’s basic design consisting of a protruding jaw, with a curved slender body and realistic color techniques. Using wood as his primary material, he also employed metal fittings for fasteners and fins.

Physical Description
Carved wooden decoy of a Pike fish; green along dorsal region with yellow underbelly, spots and flecks of yellow, white, and black.

Primary Object Classification
Sculpture

Primary Object Type
carving

Collection Area
Modern and Contemporary

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
Fish
decoys (objects)
folk art (traditional art)
sculpture (visual works)
wood (plant material)

2 Related Resources

Folk, Self-taught, Amateur, and Visionary Art
(Part of 2 Learning Collections)
Cabinet Y: Shelf 1
(Part of: Albertine Monroe-Brown Study-Storage Gallery)

& Author Notes

All Rights Reserved

On display

UMMA Gallery Location ➜ AMH, 2nd floor ➜ 205 (Albertine Monroe-Brown Study-Storage Gallery) ➜ Cabinet Y ➜ Shelf 1