Ward Brothers Pintail Pair

The Ward Brothers, Lemuel T. (1896-1984) and Stephen (1895-1976) Crisfield, MD, 1948

These exquisite Ward Brothers pintails are one of the finest rigmate pairs of their kind to ever come to market. Featured in color as lots 485 and 486 in the 1996 Hillman Collection sale, they represent a rare collecting opportunity to acquire early, near-mint carvings by two of the all-time masters of the decoy. The full-bodied birds feature heads turned almost forty-five degrees, uplifted tails, and razor-sharp bills. The highly detailed feather work on the hen by Lem is extraordinary as are the subtly blended grays on the back of the drake. Each bird is signed "1948, L.T. Ward Bro, Lem Ward and Steve Ward" on the bottom in addition to having various collectors' stickers. Each bird retains the Hillman Collection stamp on the bottom. Superb and dry original paint with minimal even wear, the hen has a thin crack through the neck.

Provenance: John Hillman Collection Private Collection, acquired from the above

Literature: Guyette and Schmidt, Inc., "The Hillman Collection: Rare Antique Waterfowl Decoys," St. Michaels, MD, April 25-26, 1996, lots 485-486, exact decoys illustrated.

Provenance

John Hillman Collection Private Collection, acquired from the above