C. W. Waterfield Rare Ruddy Duck

Charles W. Waterfield (1881-1973) Back Bay, NC, c. 1920 11 1/2 in. long

“...the overall importance of Carolina’s bays and sounds in the wildfowl picture almost demands that decoy collections contain some example of Carolina origin.” -William J. Mackey, Jr. “American Bird Decoys”

An important Waterfield decoy, this North Carolina treasure displays the very same pattern and lines of the John Williams ruddy featured on the cover of "Gunnin' Birds." "Charles 'Charlie' Whitehouse Waterfield spent his entire life associated with hunting waterfowl in the Back Bay and Knotts Island area" writes Kroghie Andresen. "He was born on the False Cape Club property and while a teenager took his first job on Cedar Island working with John Williams and Ivy Stevens."

This example displays a fat-jaw profile and a slightly upswept tail. The underside is branded "N" for the North Collection. Original paint with gunning wear and a replaced bill.

Provenance: D. C. North Collection Private Collection, Massachusetts

Literature: Kroghie Andresen, "Gunnin' Birds," Charlotte, NC, 2008, front cover and pp. 60-69, related example illustrated. William J. Mackey, Jr., "American Bird Decoys," New York, NY, 1965, pp. 165-172.

Provenance

D. C. North Collection Private Collection, Massachusetts