Ward Brothers Oversize Broadbill Drake

The Ward Brothers Lemuel T. (1896-1984) and Stephen (1895-1976) Crisfield, MD, 1935 16 in. long

This dramatically turned-head decoy bears the brothers' signatures, the date, and a "Made for David Baker's Collection of Working Decoys" inscription on the underside. This Baker-rig bird features an oversize body and exceptional head carving with full cheeks and a thin broad bill. This exact decoy is featured in a signed photo of the Wards holding the bird. Old Ward paint with gunning wear, excellent second head added by the Wards. Maker's fill to chip in right side of tail.

Provenance: David Baker Rig, acquired from the Ward Brothers Davison Hawthorne Collection Private Collection, New York

Provenance

David Baker Rig, acquired from the Ward Brothers Davison Hawthorne Collection Private Collection, New York