Early Ward Brothers Widgeon Decoy, circa 1920

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Early Ward Brothers Widgeon Decoy, circa 1920

About the Item

Antique Ward Brothers Widgeon Decoy, Early Period, circa 1920, having a hand whittled solid body in sloping posture, with set at distinct angle to the left, and high mounted thick paddle tail, in very worn original paint. The posture and angle of head give the bird a complacent yet alert attitude. This working decoy is from what the Ward Museum has described as their Early Period (1916-1932), and is in the same style as others that have appeared at auction identified as being from circa 1920-1921. The decoy is not signed, as is often the case with their work from this period. The decoy is in very good structural condition, with only a few extremely tight age checks on the right side and back, a knot on the right side, and a couple of dents on the tail. The paint is worn pretty well away, but enough remains for character and to be able to identify the species. This decoy has never been restored or repainted in any way. Measures: 6 in high x 14-1/2 in length x 6 in width Lemuel T. Ward, Jr. (1896-1984) and Stephen Ward (1895-1976) of Crisfield, Maryland created waterfowl decoys and decorative bird carvings for more than 50 years that established and maintained a unique standard of realism and artistic expression. They made hunting decoys until the early 1950s, when the introduction of plastic, factory-made hunting decoys and a growing collector demand for their realistic carvings prompted them to switch to the production of miniature and life-sized decorative birds. The Ward brothers started carving decoys circa 1920 between customers in their old barbershop near Asbury Church, and gradually moved to their home workshop as their decoy business increased. The Depression years of the 1930s brought an increase in the demand for their decoys as more people hunted simply to feed their families. When better economic times returned, a growing interest in sport hunting, especially at the gunning clubs that flourished on the waterfowl-rich marshes and islands of the Bay, provided a demand for their decoys from hunters who could afford the best. Many clubs sent their decoys back to the Ward’s shop annually for repair and repainting. Lem Ward was an innovator, always experimenting with new styles and paint patterns, perhaps to confound those who would copy his work, but mostly to satisfy his desire to create a more lifelike bird. Lem made a few decorative carvings as far back as 1918, but the change from making working decoys to consistently creating decorative pieces did not come until the 1950s. Steve Ward is often credited with doing most of the decoy carving and Lem with most of the painting, but this tends to oversimplify the close working relationship between the two brothers who formed a unique carving partnership. The Ward Brothers' work and legacy is celebrated in The Ward Museum in Salisbury, Maryland.

Creator:
The Ward Brothers (Maker)
Dimensions:
Height: 6 in (15.24 cm)Width: 14.5 in (36.83 cm)Length: 6 in (15.24 cm)
Style:
Folk Art (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Cedar,Hand-Carved,Hand-Painted
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
1920-1929
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1920
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Nantucket, MA
Reference Number:
Seller: AD - 94-99 - LRE1stDibs: LU903921416372