A Neenah Area Decoy Carver and Lake Poygan Waterfowler
A Decoy Corner Article
By Bruce Urben, WWA President
Sometimes, while researching Vintage Wisconsin Decoy Carvers, I have found that information is usually available when you know where to look for it. This month’s carver is an exception! I have been interested in showcasing this carver for some time, but I have found very little historical information about his life. His carving is truly a Wisconsin original, and I wanted you to see his work and hear as much of his story as possible. Here is what we know….
Sylvester “Swede” Swedesky was born on May 8th, 1905—the son of Immigrants who settled in the Winnebago Co. area of Neenah, WI. Swede began carving decoys in his mid-20s to fulfill his passion for waterfowling. What we know is that he carved 300-400 decoys during his career and hunted on Lake Poygan in Winnebago County on a routine basis.
Swede carved decoys for one “Duck Club” in the area. Collectors have found several of his decoys with “Duck Inn” clearly labeled on the bottom. The Club became known as the “Duck Inn” on Lake Poygan. It was originally a building on stilts at the water’s edge on Poygan and became deeply intertwined with the duck hunting tradition on Lake Poygan. It later served as a place where hunters could relax and socialize after a day of hunting!
Sylvester Swedesky carved decoys from 1931 to the 1960s. He produced canvasbacks, bluebills, mallards, pintails, geese, and coot decoys. Most of Swede’s decoys were made from wood. He carved solid bodies with attached heads. There have been several cork decoys attributed to Swedesky, but very few compared to his wood models.
His decoys were carved simply, in a style now recognized as “smoothies”. Very little feather detail is provided on his diver decoys, as his paint scheme is a simple, block-style design with minimal shading or blending.
His puddle ducks, however, do have more elaborate paint schemes. He placed his decoy heads on a neck seat slightly higher than the back of the decoy, and most of the decoys I have seen have glass eyes.
The tail has a relatively thin “paddle” shape and a slightly humped back. He did provide some detailed carving where the bill meets the head, and most of his decoys have the head looking straight ahead. History tells us that Swede was assisted in making the decoy by his wife, Eva. Swede was like most waterfowlers of the period in also making paddles, marsh skis, and skiffs.
Sylvester “Swede” Swedesky was a classic Winnebago Lakes decoy carver and waterfowler. Swede passed away in January of 1971 at his home near Neenah at the age of 65, due to a massive heart attack while shoveling out from a Wisconsin snowstorm!
Truly a Wisconsin original decoy carver.
