Ward Brothers Goldeneye Drake

The Ward Brothers, Lemuel T. (1896-1984) and Stephen (1895-1976) Crisfield, MD, c. 1930

This classic early Ward brothers decoy was likely made in the late 1920s or early 1930s. A stunning wooden sculpture, the two brothers have created a bird that perfectly captures the likeness of the species. Typically mobile on the water, goldeneyes are constantly in motion, diving in search of mollusks or darting after one another. This decoy has the appearance of a “whistler,” looking over its shoulder as it swims away. The head crown is correctly rendered with the wider top of the crown flowing to a sharper edge towards the back of the head. The pronounced humped back arches and sweeps to the extended concave “beaver tail.” This highly breakable tail point was later eliminated as the Ward Brothers gunning decoys evolved to more durable designs. Signed "L. T. Ward Bro., Crisfield, MD., -1936-" on the bottom. Original paint with significant gunning wear, age cracks along the bottom, and minor darkening.

Provenance: Vance Strausberg Collection Private Collection, New Jersey

Provenance

Vance Strausberg Collection Private Collection, New Jersey