Ward Brothers The Purnell-muller Ward Canvasback Pair

The Ward Brothers Lemuel T. (1896-1984) and Stephen (1895-1976) Crisfield, MD, c. 1932 16 1/2 in. long, 7 3/4 in. tall

“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 20th-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, “Bird Decoys of North America”

The Ward Brothers captured the likeness of species in their carvings as well as any maker before or after their remarkable careers. This 1932 duo, along with the McCleery-O’Brien pair, are often grouped with the 1936 models, and understandably so. However, a closer look at these elite forerunners shows slightly higher backs, slightly thinner necks with higher heads, and the makers' very best paint, features rarely seen in later models. Like the best of the 30s canvasbacks, they also have turned heads, broad flared bills, and thin paddle tails. It is rare to find survivors with original bills and tails intact as these features were prone to breakage.

Each bird is signed and dated by the brothers in ink on the underside. They also bear the “P” brand for the collection of the Wards’ friend and legendary Southern collector Bill Purnell.

Of his rigmates obtained from the McCleery collection, Donal C. O'Brien Jr. 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..." Indeed, the McCleery-O’Brien and Purnell-Muller pairs are unsurpassed. The full bodies, refined head carving, exceptional paint, original condition, and provenance of this pair place them among the finest Wards known. Outstanding original paint with even gunning wear.

Provenance: William H. Purnell Jr. Collection Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection

Literature: Joe Engers, “Dr. Peter J. Muller: Bringing a good eye and an artistic approach to decoy collecting,” Decoy Magazine, January/February 2008, p. 10, exact decoy illustrated. Robert Shaw, "Call to the Sky: The Decoy Collection of James M. McCleery, M.D.," Houston, TX, 1992, pp. 76-77, McCleery-O’Brien pair illustrated. Robert Shaw, “Bird Decoys of North America,” New York, NY, 2010, p. 205, Gard pair illustrated. Ronald J. Gard and Brian J. McGrath, "Ward Brothers’ Decoys: A Collector’s Guide," Wolf City, TX, 1989. Copley Fine Art Auctions, “The Donal C O’Brien Jr. Collection of Important American Sporting Art and Decoys, Session I-II,” Hingham, MA, July 27, 2017, lots 41-42, McCleery-O'Brien pair illustrated.

Provenance

William H. Purnell Jr. Collection Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection