sugar, such decoys are “cut” from pieces of “square” wood blanks and the head and body are “cut” separately and then joined together. Said wood blanks are subjected to an initial or 1st “rough” cut using a “gouge” chisel to remove the majority of excess wood ….. and then a 2nd or “finishing” cut is done with a different chisel to obtain the exact dimensions.
The “knot” in the wood blank was surely visible …. but the “crack” thru the knot was not visible or it did not form until after the 1st “rough cut” was made.
And knots with cracks or gaps are a “NO NO” ….. SIMPLY BECAUSE they are highly likely to expand or lengthen ….. at some future time.
I think you have a great "odd n' different" piece there and will likely
never see another one like it.
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