Ward Brothers Feeding Hudsonian Curlew

Lemuel T. Ward (1896-1984) Crisfield, MD, 1964 9 3/4 in. tall, 12 in. long

This important Ward carving was collected by noted author, sportsman, marksman, and philanthropist Russell B. Aitken.

Decorative shorebirds are among the rarest carvings executed by the Wards as they focused primarily on waterfowl. This feeding curlew is an exhibition of the talents that enabled Lem to become one of the nation's premier early decorative bird carvers, along with A. Elmer Crowell. A plaque on the base is marked "HUDSONIAN CURLEW BY L. T. WARD 1964." Original paint with minimal wear, craquelure to end grain, reset upper mandible, and minor cracks in leg putty.

Provenance: Russell B. Aitken Collection Herb Wetanson Collection

Literature: Christie's, "The Russell B. Aitken Collection of Waterfowl Decoys," New York, NY, 2003, lot 1266, exact carving illustrated.

Provenance

Russell B. Aitken Collection Herb Wetanson Collection