Noah Bernard Sterling Bluebill Drake

Noah Sterling (1885-1954) Crisfield, MD, c. 1920 Early records attributed these decoys to the Dize family based on the owners' marks on the bottoms of the birds. Collectors today recognize these decoys as the work of Crisfield carver Noah Sterling. This decoy has a wonderful wide-body form, measuring over 8 inches in width, original large tack eyes.

In mostly original paint with working repaint to the white area of the back, an area of the top of the head was accidentally brushed at the time of the repaint, tight crack through the back of the head and numerous tight cracks to the body.

Provenance: Asa B. Allen Collection, purchased at the Richard A. Bourne Co., Inc. Auctions, Hyannis, MA, in the early 1970s.

Literature: W. Mackey, Jr., American Bird Decoys, New York, NY, p. 148, similar example.

Provenance

Asa B. Allen Collection, purchased at the Richard A. Bourne Co., Inc. Auctions, Hyannis, MA, in the early 1970s.