Harry Seymour

Harry Seymour / Trout Fish Decoy
Carved, painted wood with attached metal fins and leather tail
Length 16", circa 1890

Harry Seymour was one of the first master carvers from New York State.

Born and reared in Bemus Point on the shores of Lake Chautauqua in the mid-19th Century, Seymour earned his living as a general handyman. Descended from English and Dutch roots, Seymour's fish decoys defined the output of the New York school; solid, utilitarian, blocky in form and somewhat dull in coloration.

Seymour's work is nonetheless memorable for it's instinctive handling of shapes and his keen eye for painted texture. A hallmark of Seymour's which has been widely copied is the bright red paint he frequently applied to the gill slits of his fish decoys.

Harry Seymour / Perch Fish Decoy
Carved, painted wood with attached metal fins and leather tail
Length 6.5", circa 1895.

Harry Seymour / Trout Fish Decoy
Carved, painted wood with attached metal fins and leather tail
Length 7", circa 1890

While perhaps not the equal of the lyrical masterpieces of the Great Lakes Master carvers, Seymour's fish decoy carvings are highly sought after for their naive charm. Seymour decoys are extremely valuable and one example at a Sotheby's auction in 1991 fetched over $11,000.

Harry Seymour / Green Sunfish Fish Decoy
Carved, painted wood with leather tail, metal pectoral fins and copper tack eyes.
L ength 6.75", circa 1890