08/16/2026
JO STORY ALERT: ME and the MORNING DOVE (not a love story) ***PETER KAUNE - artist and wood carver*** Lot #98 of our auction closing tonight is worth noting and learning about. I am not necessarily a naturalist, even though I love being outside and I love birds; birdwatching isn't something I am really into. However, as of late, there is a morning dove outside the auction barn that makes its cooing noise ALL DAY LONG. Now, at first, I found this soothing, but after weeks and weeks of this morning dove cooing all day every day right outside my open door, it makes me crazier than usual. So imagine my surprise when I open a box of clients' things and find THIS. I had to laugh, but in doing the research for the listing, I found this decoy/carving is actually no laughing matter. It is signed and numbered on the bottom by Peter Kaune, and here is what you need to know about this lot:
"1. Artistic Style and Realism:
Kaune specializes in decorative lifesize and miniature wildfowl sculptures, focusing heavily on realistic songbirds, birds of prey, and gamebirds (such as robins, hawks, kingfishers, and doves).
Meticulous Precision: His carvings are famously detailed, capturing texture down to the microscopic, translucent details of individual barbs on feathers.
The Fusion with Nature: Rather than placing his birds on standard geometric blocks, Kaune famously pairs his hyper-realistic hand-painted sculptures with highly organic, weathered elements like natural driftwood, tree branches, or twisted burl wood roots. This makes the transition between the hand-carved bird and the raw base seamless and lifelike.
2. Career Achievements and World Champion Status
While primarily a self-taught carver, Kaune’s natural eye for anatomy was honed by a lifelong fascination with ornithology and formal design training at Washington State University. Since entering the public competitive circuit in 1981, his accolades are staggering:
The World Championship: In 1988, Peter Kaune won the coveted "Best in World" title at the prestigious Ward World Championship for his decorative miniature robins. The Ward Championship is widely considered the Olympics of wildfowl art.
Best of Show: Over his career, his sculptures have taken home more than 60 individual "Best of Show" awards at major carving competitions across North America.
Permanent Museum Collections: His masterpieces are highly valued by elite collectors, with pieces housed in the permanent collections of the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art and the North American Wildlife Art Museum, alongside top private and corporate international collections.
3. The "Carving Cockpit" Studio
Kaune’s creative process became so respected that Wildfowl Carving Magazine dedicated a feature showcase to his specialized workshop layout. He operates from an incredibly ergonomic, highly modified shed dubbed the "carving cockpit."To maximize focus, he works from a high wooden stool with customized armrests.
4. Valuation and Collectibility
Because Kaune handles every single stage of production—from the original wood block selection to the final microscopic airbrushing and oil-painting strokes—his original pieces are sparse and highly sought after by folk art collectors. While small or decorative production items can occasionally be found at estate auctions starting in the double digits, his premier, highly complex competition-level museum carvings have commanded up to $2,700 USD or more at fine art auctions."
So there you have it. Everyone learning every day. My old pal Chip, the art teacher across the hall from me for many years, would be so proud I took the time to learn more about this piece and the artist.
And all this piece will go to a new owner in the coming days; I am sure the morning dove will still remain outside the auction barn keeping me "company" as I list the next round of upcoming treasures.
-Jo
