Why You’ll Love It
This charming OOAK miniature duck decoy by Frank Balestrieri (1987) is a beautifully executed example of artisan wildlife carving in miniature, capturing the distinctive character of a male Red-breasted Merganser (drake) with remarkable precision. Hand-carved from wood and meticulously hand-painted, the piece showcases the bird’s defining features—its shaggy crest, slender red-orange bill, and intricately patterned plumage rendered in fine detail despite its tiny scale.
The naturalistic coloring and lifelike form give this piece a quiet sense of movement, as though the bird has just settled onto the water’s surface. Signed and dated by the artist, it carries both authenticity and provenance, making it especially appealing to collectors who appreciate wildlife art in miniature.
Perfect for styling on a rustic dollhouse sideboard, in a lakeside cabin vignette, or within a curated sporting or hunting lodge scene, this tiny decoy brings a sense of the outdoors into an interior setting—an evocative nod to traditional American folk art and decoy carving.
Details
Materials: Wood
Measurements: 1:12 scale; 1 ¾" long x ½" tall
Condition: Excellent vintage condition
Artist / Maker: Frank Balestrieri (1987)
Provenance: Miss Seattle Collection
Please Note: You are purchasing the OOAK miniature Red-breasted Merganser duck decoy by Frank Balestrieri. Everything else you see is not included, but is used to demonstrate scale suggestions.
A Note About Value
Every miniature we offer has been carefully evaluated for its craftsmanship, rarity, condition, provenance, and collectibility. Many of the artisan pieces we sell are one-of-a-kind works that may never appear on the market again. While original retail prices provide an interesting historical reference, they rarely reflect decades of appreciation, the artist's legacy, or the scarcity of surviving examples.
Our pricing reflects the miniature's place within today's collector market and the years we've spent studying the artists, histories, and values that make these tiny works of art so special.
A Commitment to Research
Every miniature has a story, and uncovering it is one of our greatest passions. We carefully research each piece, but unsigned or illegible works can remain mysteries. If you can identify an artist or provide additional information, we'd be delighted to hear from you and will gladly update the listing to preserve their legacy.
