Ward Brothers Goldeneye Drake

The Ward Brothers Lemuel T. (1896-1984) and Stephen (1895-1976) Crisfield, MD, c. 1930 15 1/2 in. long

An excellent and early wooden sculpture, Steve’s carving and Lem’s paint have created a bird that perfectly captures the species. Often in motion on the water, goldeneye are an animated bird when afloat. This decoy accurately conveys the appearance of a whistler drake looking over its shoulder as it swims away. The form of the bird’s head is artisticlly rendered with a full crown which tapers to a chine on the nape. The pronounced humped back arches and sweeps to the extended concave “beaver-tail.” This highly breakable tail was later eliminated as the Ward Brothers' gunning decoys evolved into more durable designs. Signed "L. T. Ward Bro., Crisfield, MD., -1936-" on the bottom. Original paint with gunning wear, age cracks along the bottom, and minor darkening.

Provenance: Vance Strausberg Collection Private Collection, New Jersey Private Collection, Montana

Literature: Robert Shaw, "Bird Decoys of North America," New York, NY, 2010, pp. 16-17 and 58, related example illustrated. Ronald J. Gard and Brian J. McGrath, "The Ward Brothers' Decoys: A Collector's Guide," Plano, TX, 1989, p. 34, related example illustrated.

Provenance

Vance Strausberg Collection Private Collection, New Jersey Private Collection, Montana