"Mikko Type" (Artificially Aged) Fish Decoy Primer

"SEE PICTURES BELOW"

11/23/1999

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.

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"
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.
. 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.
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	8) A "mikko  type" critter
9) A "mikko type" Frog Decoy ,no tumbling done to this frog, but shows the typical uniform rusty fins	10) A "mikko type" decoy that ended up being improperly identified and sold as a genuine old Folk Art fish decoy
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	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).
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.	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).	15) An artificially aged fish decoy patterned after the noted carver Raymond Stotz from Minnesota.
16) A group of mikko type decoys acquired by a collector, before he realized what he had purchased.