James Currier

Jim Currier hunted, guided and worked in his father’s livery stable before he landed a job with the United States postal department. For forty-three years, he kept the government job and eventually retired as postmaster (McKinney 34). He carved decoys for himself in a workshop behind his house. Black duck, Canada goose, canvasback, green-wing teal, mallard, pintail, redhead and scaup decoys were first carved by hand from white pine and later from cedar. Most of Currier’s decoys portray low head or contented positions, but some of his canvasbacks are high necked. Feather-like painting and distinct bill and head carving set Currier’s decoys apart from others’ and have established Jim Currier as one of the Susquehanna Flats’ prominent carvers.