Charles Gardner Golden Plover

Charles Gardner Nantucket, MA, c. 1880 This shorebird decoy displays green copper tack eyes, split-tail carving, and greenish paint specks on the back. Faintly branded "C. GARDNER." This bird is from the rig of, or possibly made by, Charles Gardner, and was used at the Gardner's gunning stand on Hummock Pond. In the 1850s four Gardner families lived and farmed along Hummock Pond Road. One of the island's earliest families, at least a dozen Charles Gardners have lived on Nantucket since the early 1700s. Original paint with some flaking, even gunning wear, and touch-up to wing tips.

Provenance: Joseph B. French Collection Private Collection, Florida, purchased from the above in 1995

Provenance

Joseph B. French Collection Private Collection, Florida, purchased from the above in 1995