Ward Brothers Pinch-breast Pintail Drake

The Ward Brothers Lemuel T. (1896-1984) and Stephen (1895-1976) Crisfield, MD, c. 1932 18 1/2 in. long

A rare pinch-breast model pintail from the rig of aviation pioneer Glenn L. Martin (1886-1995). Regarding the pinch-breast pintail, Gard and McGrath state, "The design is considered the best in Ward pintails and is valued with that of earlier Ward styles." Original paint with heavy gunning wear, roughness to head, and an original crack in back.

Provenance: Glenn L. Martin Rig Ronald S. Swanson Collection Private Collection

Literature: Ronald J. Gard and Brian J. McGrath, "The Ward Brothers' Decoys: A Collector's Guide," Plano, TX, 1989, pp. 57-63, related examples illustrated. Ronald Swanson, “The Decoy as Folk Sculpture,” Cranbrook Academy of Art Exhibition Catalog, January 1987, p. 29, fig. 43 (2nd from right), exact decoy illustrated.

Exhibited: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, “The Decoy as Folk Sculpture,” Cranbrook Academy of Art, January 27-February 22, 1987.

Provenance

Glenn L. Martin Rig Ronald S. Swanson Collection Private Collection