Vintage Mid-Century Copper and Brass Metal Duck Storage Box

A rare and eye-catching piece of brutalist Mid-Century Modern decor, this copper and silver-toned bird sculpture doubles as a lidded treasure box, attributed to the Don Freedman design aesthetic.

This sculptural vessel is an exceptional example of mixed-metal artistry popularized in the 1960s and 70s. While Don Freedman is primarily known for his fiber art, pieces designed in this distinct style—featuring a blend of contrasting metals and a focus on natural, figural forms—are highly sought after by collectors.

The body features a striking contrast between the bright, polished copper on the lower half and the intricate, dark, silver-toned metal (likely brass alloy) on the hinged lid. The lid is beautifully engraved with floral and geometric patterns, creating a tactile and visual texture that defines the Mid-Century aesthetic. The top surface of the bird's back and head showcases finely engraved detail mimicking feathers.

This storage box features a functional design and is hinged at the back and secured at the front by a looping metal clasp. The entire box stands securely on four cast metal feet shaped like realistic bird claws, adding a whimsical yet grounded element. The open beak and internal cavity suggest it was meant to be a decorative box, perhaps for tobacco, keys, or small keepsakes.

Measurements (approximate - rounded to the nearest quarter inch):
7.5 inches in length
8.5 inches in height
5.5 inches in depth

Condition:
This piece is in excellent vintage condition, displaying a deep, rich patina consistent with its age. The copper areas have a beautiful natural sheen, and the dark silver-toned areas retain all their intricate engraving. It is fully functional as a lidded box. Its significant size makes it a true statement piece.

All sales are final so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with any questions prior to purchase.

VINTAGE & ANTIQUE
Vintage and antique items are pre-owned and aged goods. In most cases, we do not clean or polish any items that come into our shop. Once you remove an item's traces of age and patina it's not something you can reverse, so we leave those activities up to the buyer. We do not disassemble found art from their frames unless it is necessary to differentiate a print from an original piece of art. Vintage prints purchased from this shop could originate from any print media (e.g., magazines, books, photographs, art prints, etc.). We try our best to describe items accurately and disclose any and all flaws and imperfections. Please refer to pictures as a visual description. We want to make sure you are happy with your purchase so, please do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have prior to checkout.

SHIPPING
As much as possible, we utilize recycled shipping boxes. The box you receive your item in may show signs of wear and pre-use.

PHOTOGRAPHY
All photos are taken in natural light and we do not use any photo filters and do not perform and photo editing (other than basic photo cropping). Depending on your monitor settings, there may be subtle differences in color once you see your item in person.