Ward Brothers Rare Long-tailed Drake

The Ward Brothers Lemuel T. (1896-1984) and Stephen (1895-1976) Crisfield, MD, 1970 14 1/2 in. long

A rare and exceptionally well-documented long-tail carving with a turned head and upswept tail. This decoy has been illustrated in no less than three books on the Wards. The carving is finished with excellent Lem Ward paint, especially on the head. The underside is marked with a Richardson collection stamp.

“The bird shows fine detail carving and is well proportioned. The paint has a deep texture and beautiful muted colors. The bird is painted in its winter plumage and is quite elegant in its presentation of from and color,” write Ron Gard and Brian McGrath in "The Ward Brothers' Decoys: A Collector's Guide."

Original paint with light wear and restoration to tail feather.

Provenance: Collection of R. H. Richardson Private Collection

Literature: Ronald J. Gard and Brian J. McGrath, "The Ward Brothers' Decoys: A Collector's Guide," Plano, TX, 1989, pp. 52 an 56, exact decoy illustrated and discussed. Barry, Velma, and Richard Berkey, “Pioneer Decoy Carvers: A Biography of Lemuel and Stephen Ward,” Cambridge, MD, 1977, p. 94, exact decoy illustrated. Henry A. Fleckenstein Jr., "Decoys of the Mid-Atlantic Region," Exton, PA, 1979, p. 182, exact bird illustrated.

Provenance

Collection of R. H. Richardson Private Collection