Loon Decoy
Date20th century
Maker
Byron E. Bruffee
MediumCarved and painted wood, glass
Credit LineBequest of Dr. Francis Blaise-Benedict Curcio
Object number2024.702.1
DescriptionDecoy sculture carved and painted to portray a loon with white spots against a black back. The breast is painted white and there are two additional white markings on each side of the neck.Label TextMassachusetts has a long history of decoy carving that likely began with the earliest immigrants to the commonwealth but that vastly grew following a 1727 law that outlawed the use of live decoys for hunting waterfowl. Regionally, Massachusetts is divided into 4 areas of carving with this loon decoy representing the South Shore area between Boston and Cape Cod. Byron E. Bruffee, spent most of his life living and carving in this region and left behind, not only a sizeable number of his work, but also a legacy of carving that his son, Daniel Bruffee continues to this day.Mark(s)The underside has an impression of the maker's name "Byron E. Bruffee"
Possibly 1900-1930
Late 19th century
Possibly 1900-1930
Possibly 1910-1930
probably 1900-1920
ca. 1900
Early. 20th century
