This page is brought to you by an avid group of fish decoy
collectors and dealers, who have
the desire to educate each other and the existing, new or novice collector regarding the identification of
artificially aged fish
decoys. We feel it is in the best interest of the hobby to assist each other in spotting suspect fish
decoys and also protect our interests and investments. We further believe that only through educating ourselves can we assist in preserving fish decoy's as popular Folk Art and the collecting of them as a pleasurable pastime
The term "Mikko" originally was used to refer to fish decoys that
had been made and sold by a particular individual in Minnesota. The term
is now used generically to describe fish decoys that have been artificially
aged to appear old. This itself is not a particular problem, if they are properly marked and identified.
"mikko type" decoys were apparently
initially made to fill a niche market that was created when fish decoys boomed
as Folk Art in the 1980's and the price of well made old working fish decoys
skyrocketed. There were people who wanted fish decoys in the style (
including the "appearance" of old age ) of the genuinely old Folk Art
decoys to be used as decorator items, but could not or would not pay the new market
prices. Initially these "mikko type" decoys were sold as an example of an
inexpensive, decorative American art form. To the initial purchaser they
represented a good value when they were purchased as decorator items.
However, with the passage of time , the problem is that many if not most of
the "mikko type" decoys have been or are being sold as genuine folk art that is old or as
actual antique
fish decoys. As a result many collectors and others have been burned
before they became educated as to what they had really purchased.
Most all "mikko type" fish decoys tend to share a number of common
traits, among which are the following:
1) They are artificially aged modern reproductions of fish
decoys with little or no historical significance or collector value.
2) They tend to have uniform artificially created rust on all metal parts
and
the rust is red not a brown to black of "old" rust. If the rust is red
it is recent.
3) If the fins still have some paint on them, the rust
appears to be coming from under the paint.
4) They have been treated in some manner to artificially
age the paint, which dulls the sheen of fresh paint resulting in a dull/flat
finish. The paint "wear" is uniform.
5) Often the low spots of the painted surfaces retains the
sheen of fresh paint as opposed to the dull/flat finish of the
"treated" areas.
6) They normally have no major damage to the wood, such as
gouges and nicks from spearing.
7) They are complete with all their fins, none missing or
damaged.
8) They are made with thick wooden tails.
9) They have been made in the last 6 months to 15 years.
10) They are generally well made and will function as fish
decoys.
PLEASE NOTE: As
collectors become adept at recognizing "mikko type" decoys, it can be
expected that the common traits or characteristics will begin to change.
One of the safest ways to protect yourself is to buy from
reputable dealers, collectors and carvers.
Click on the thumbnail images to get a larger
view
  
1) Note the uniform rusting on all the fins and the uniform
wear on the paint achieved by "tumbling". |
  
2) Chip broken off of the bottom tip of the tail to add
credibility to its "age"
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    3) The rust on the fins of this decoy is not as dense as on
number 1, but note that it has a uniformity to it too. the whiskers are
completely rusted as well as the tack eyes. This decoy appears more
to have been shaken up in bag with hard material rather than "tumbled"
with abrasive in water, as the paint does not have the sand blasted
look. No wear on the belly which is not consistent with all the
abrasions and bruise on the rest of the decoy |
  
4) The "tumbling" wear is evident on all the high
spots (almost to the point of being lightly sanded), but note the sheen of
the paint in the low spots.
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5) This decoy was not "tumbled" and has lots of
sheen to the paint, which doesn't fit with the rust on the fins.
Note the complete lack of wear on the belly. |
  
6) Artificially aged
"Cadillac" style fish decoy.
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7) This decoy has the typical uniform red rust to all the
fins and tack eyes, also shows wear in areas that would not be touched
through normal use ( a result of "tumbling") Note that this
decoy has been branded on the bottom so that it will not be misidentified
again
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8) A "mikko type" critter
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9) A "mikko type" Frog Decoy ,no tumbling done to this frog, but
shows the typical uniform rusty fins
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10) A "mikko type" decoy that ended up being improperly
identified and sold as a genuine old Folk Art fish decoy
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11) The fins on this frog are made of old rusted tin, as opposed to the
normal acid dipped fins ( this may be one of the changing characteristics
of the new "mikko type" fish decoys ). The line tie shows no
sign of rust and appears to be new wire or staples, whatever is used,
which is not consistent with the corroded fins
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11) The "wear" on the paint or "aging" is uniform
, appears to be directional and like fine scratches that would be caused
by a fine wire brush, light sanding or use of an abrasive pad. The
paint "wear" is in some protected areas that should not show
wear. It appears that the lower half of the legs did not get
the "wear" of he rest of the legs and the body (almost as if the
frog was held by the legs to brush, sand or rub the rest of the frog).
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  12)
No wear to the paint, but has some of the typical rust (
although not heavy or completely rusted as on some ) on all fins
except the dorsal fin It looks like a pattern used or
prototype as opposed to one made to sell, very unusual. Perhaps
given to his carvers to look at and produce like examples.
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  12)
Note a light penciled line running horizontally from the back
edge of the mouth just above the fins. At the base of the
tail "Blue" is written on the white paint. Between
the two fins, "White" is written below the line and
"Blue" is written above the line. Also note the
additional spots penciled on the cheek and above the front fin,
which appears to be instructions to use for painting spots on all
of the "blue area" |
  13)
Note rust blisters from under the paint.
 
|
 13)
Notice the entire painted surfaces have consistent and uniform
wear EVERYWHERE, yet no major chips, dents or gouges. |
  
14) All the classic rust and
lighter than normal paint wear patterns ( as a result you
will see more paint sheen on the sides).
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15)
An artificially aged fish decoy patterned after the noted
carver Raymond Stotz from Minnesota.
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16) A group of mikko type
decoys acquired by a collector, before he realized what he
had purchased.
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