Knotts Island, North Carolina, circa 1890, carved and painted wood.

Length 15.5 in.

Exhibited at Duke University 2023.


An extremely rare decoy by the maker. Malachi Waterfield made mostly diver ducks but a handful of black ducks have been found on Ragged Island. He was a no nonsense type of person who was always prepared to fight. He kept a pistol strapped to his shoulder and his brass knuckles were always handy. One of his most notable encounters occurred during the Civil War. The Northern troops usually pillaged southern farms by taking livestock and family valuables. Malachi fought it out with them when they got to his farm. He killed three but was seriously wounded. He escaped down Indian Creek via his sail skiff to the marsh at Wash Woods. The locals found a doctor in Corolla who treated him back to health. This is a magnificent example.

Old gunning paint with moderate wear.