Edward Ned Burgess Pintail Drake

Edward "Ned" Burgess (1868-1958) Waterlily, Churches Island, NC, 1930 18 1/2 in. long

An outstanding North Carolina pintail, this important decoy is featured in Kroghie Andresen's treatise, "Gunnin' Birds." A renowned North Carolina decoy carver, Burgess carved long, slender bodies with heads that were typically upright and reared back. The maker would often put a nail up through the bottom of the decoy's neck to hold the head in place should cracking occur. Another signature of Burgess' work is the rasp marks he intentionally left on the carvings to help dull the paint.

This decoy was originally owned by Mark Wright, of Currituck, North Carolina, whose brother was the caretaker of the Dews Island Club. Wright's widow gave the decoy to her father, Arnold Daniels, of Wanchese, North Carolina. In 1996 he sold it to Kroghie Andresen. Original paint with gunning wear, including a shallow chip along the top of tail.

Provenance: Mark Wright Rig Arnold Daniels, by descent from the above Kroghie Andresen, acquired from the above Private Collection, North Carolina, acquired from the above

Literature: Kroghie Andresen, "Gunnin' Birds," Charlotte, NC, 2008, pp. 142, 164-165, exact decoy illustrated four times.

Provenance

Mark Wright Rig Arnold Daniels, by descent from the above Kroghie Andresen, acquired from the above Private Collection, North Carolina, acquired from the above