W. Baily Barco Ruddy Duck Drake

W. Baily Barco (1870-1947) Poplar Branch, NC, c. 1900 10 1/2 in. long

An early documented ruddy duck drake with fat cheeks that flow to a sharp chine along the crown. The body has a raised neck seat and humped back.

This decoy's provenance leads back to the early collections of Dilworth and Butler, the latter lent birds from his collection to the Philadelphia Waterfowl Exposition. The underside is marked with this early exposition's ink stamp circa 1979. Traces of old paint worn to pleasing wood surface, replaced bill.

Provenance: Collection of John Dilworth William Butler Collection Dwight D. Miller Collection

Literature: Richard A. Bourne Co., Inc., "Rare American Decoys and Bird Carvings from the Collection of John Dilworth, Salem, New Jersey," Hyannis, MA, October 23, 1981, lot 419, exact decoy illustrated. “The Decoy Hunter,” Clinton, IA, March-April 1982, p. 19, exact decoy illustrated. Kroghie Andresen, "Gunnin' Birds," Charlotte, NC, 2008, pp. 62-65, rigmates illustrated. Adele Earnest, "The Art of The Decoy: American Bird Carvings," New York, NY, 1965, pp. 69 and 123, rigmates illustrated.

Exhibited: Philadelphia, PA, "Philadelphia Wildfowl Exposition," The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, c. 1979.

Provenance

Collection of John Dilworth William Butler Collection Dwight D. Miller Collection