Ward Brothers The Du Pont 1936 Canvasback Drake

The Ward Brothers Lemuel T. (1896-1984) and Stephen (1895-1976) Crisfield, MD, c. 1936 16 in. long

The Ward brothers captured the "likeness of species" in their carvings as well as any maker before or after their remarkable careers. This superb example has a forty-five degree turned head, nostril carving through the bill and subtle nail carving at the tip. Of the highly coveted 1936 model canvasbacks the Wards produced it is rare to find one with its original bill and tail intact as they were prone to breakage.

The underside bears both of the Ward brothers' signatures and Lem's inked inscription "1936 L. T. Ward - Bros Crisfield, MD." Original paint with even gunning wear, some dark spotting on back and minor sap bleed above right primary, some glue to tight age line in underside.

Provenance: William K. du Pont Collection

Literature: Copley Fine Art Auctions, “The Donal C. O’Brien Jr. Collection of Important American Sporting Art and Decoys, Sessions I-II,” July 27, 2017, p. 113, lot 42, related decoy illustrated. Robert Shaw, "Call to the Sky: The Decoy Collection of James M. McCleery, M.D.," Houston, TX, 1992, pp. 76-77, related decoy illustrated. Ronald J. Gard and Brian J. McGrath, "Ward Brothers’ Decoys: A Collector’s Guide," Wolf City, TX, 1989, pl. 15, related decoy illustrated.

Provenance

William K. du Pont Collection