Ward Brothers The Mccleery Ward Canvasback Hen

The Ward Brothers Lemuel T. (1896-1984) and Stephen (1895-1976) Crisfield, MD, c. 1932 16 1/2 in. long “Stephen W. Ward (1895-1976) and his brother Lemuel Travis Ward (1896-1984) of Crisfield, Maryland were by far the most prominent Chesapeake Bay carvers of the twentieth century and among the greatest and most influential bird carvers of all time. The brothers worked closely together throughout their lives, combining the complementary talents of Steve’s hand carving and Lem’s brushwork to create works of extraordinary grace and realism.” -Robert Shaw in “Bird Decoys of North America: Nature, History, and Art”

Inscribed on the bottom "1932 MADE BY STEVE, PAINTED BY LEM, WARD BROS, CRISFIELD, MD," signed by both, and stamped "McCLEERY." While they are dated 1932, these birds have been canonized as the 1936 model.

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 turned head and detailed bill carving. Of the highly coveted 1936 model canvasbacks the Wards produced, it is rare to find one with its original bill intact as the long and delicate bills were prone to breakage. The full body, refined head carving, exceptional paint, original condition, and provenance of this example place it among the finest hens known.

Of this decoy and the following lot O'Brien writes, "If I were to pick a pair of decoys to illustrate the art of decoy making, I would pick the Ward Brothers 1936 canvasbacks. I have searched high and low for these and have had six different pairs. They have the widest, most flaring bills of any I have seen...and are the best I have come across..."

The O'Brien family selected this canvasback hen to be used as the model for the O'Brien Collection stamp. Excellent original paint with minimal gunning wear including typical minor flaking around original Ward putty which is missing over head nail.

Provenance: Robert H. Richardson Collection Dr. James M. McCleery Collection, acquired from the above Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Collection, acquired from the auction of the above

Literature: Robert Shaw, "Call to the Sky: The Decoy Collection of James M. McCleery, M.D.," Houston, TX, 1992, pp. 76-77, exact decoy illustrated. Ronald J. Gard and Brian J. McGrath, "Ward Brothers’ Decoys: A Collector’s Guide," Wolf City, TX, 1989.

Provenance

Robert H. Richardson Collection Dr. James M. McCleery Collection, acquired from the above Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Collection, acquired from the auction of the above