Makers / Ward Brothers / Mallard

Ward Brothers Turned-head Mallard Drake

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

Ward Brothers – Turned-Head Mallard Drake – 2015
$24,000
Brought, including buyer's premium
Estimate $20,000–$30,000
Sold 25 Jul 2015at The Sporting Sale 2015 — Copley

See this lot at Copley →

SpeciesMallardConfigDrakePoseTurned headPaintOriginal

The catalog record

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

An exemplary, cedar-bodied Ward decoy with glass eyes, carved bill detail, and exceptional carved turned-head attitude. Original paint with light gunning wear, stabilizing touch-up to original Ward filler around neck by Gigi Hopkins, and a tight age crack along the bottom.

Provenance: Private Collection

Literature: Ronald J. Gard and Brian J. McGrath, "The Ward Brothers' Decoys: A Collector's Guide," Wolfe City, TX, 1989, pp. 82 and 83, similar decoys illustrated.

Provenance

Private Collection

Comparable sales

The 5 most recent Ward Brothers Mallards to cross the block.

SoldConditionPaintBrought
11 Oct 2026Good—$866
3 Oct 2026ExcellentOriginal$7,800
3 Oct 2026—Repaint$6,000
24 Sep 2026—Original$2,640
24 Sep 2026—Original$540

Same maker and species, most recent first. Prices include the buyer's premium. All Ward Brothers sales