Frog Decoy

Unidentified, Frog Decoy, ca. 1940s, carved and painted wood with glass beads and metal, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.54
Copied Unidentified, Frog Decoy, ca. 1940s, carved and painted wood with glass beads and metal, 2 1⁄2 x 11 x 3 7⁄8 in. (6.4 x 28.0 x 9.8 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.54
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Artwork Details

Title
Frog Decoy
Artist
Unidentified
Date
ca. 1940s
Location
Dimensions
2 1⁄2 x 11 x 3 7⁄8 in. (6.4 x 28.0 x 9.8 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson
Mediums
Mediums Description
carved and painted wood with glass beads and metal
Classifications
Keywords
  • Animal — amphibian — frog
Object Number
1986.65.54
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1986.65.54

Artwork Description

North American hunters have used decoys for centuries. Native Americans made decoys from reeds, clay, and stuffed skins to lure migrating birds within range of their arrows or spears. European pioneers adopted this technique, and by the early nineteenth century both commercial and sport hunters used carved wooden decoys. Craftsmen shape and decorate decoys either to imitate the desired bird’s prey or “trick” them into thinking it is safe to land.