Bishop's Head Canada Goose, The Ward Brothers

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The Sporting Sale 2018, Day 2

By Copley Fine Art Auctions

Jul 20, 2018

Set Reminder 2018-07-20 10:00:00 2018-07-20 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : The Sporting Sale 2018, Day 2 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/copley/the-sporting-sale-2018-day-2-3302
On July 19, Copley Fine Art Auctions will lead off their annual Sporting Sale with 140 lots from the Donal C. O’Brien, Jr. Collection of Important American Sporting Art and Decoys. On July 20 Copley will present an additional 425 lots of decoys, fish carvings, and sporting art. Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com

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• Lot Description
  Bishop's Head Canada Goose
  The Ward Brothers
  Lemuel T. (1896-1983) and Stephen (1895-1976)
  Crisfield, MD, c. 1936
  26 1/2 in. long
  
  “…the reputation of Lem and Steve spread throughout the Chesapeake region, and they produced decoys for gunners in the Upper Bay as well. A few of the gunning clubs ordered Ward decoys, and in some cases a particular Ward style became associated with a specific club. One example is the Canada goose model carved for the Bishops Head Gun Club of Dorchester County.” – C. John Sullivan, "Waterfowling on the Chesapeake, 1819-1936"
  
  A classic and distinct goose decoy from the rig of the Bishop's Head Gun Club. This group of decoys was the result of the owner of the club, Colonel Albanus Phillips (1871-1949), and the Ward brothers sitting down and designing wooden replacements for his recently outlawed live goose decoys. This product of their collaboration exhibits additional carved bill detail and a long-reaching neck, portraying a goose swimming. The Wards appear to have maintained a relationship with the club, providing additional decoys and maintenance to the rig over time.
  
  Of the numerous goose patterns produced by the Ward brothers, the Bishop's Head Gun Club model is the most coveted. This decoy exhibits a long, reaching neck in a swimming position, deep wing delineation behind the neck, and highly defined carving under the tail. It also features full cheek carving, articulated bill profile, and crescent-shaped cheek delineation.
  Mix of original and working paint with gunning wear and some recent touch-up.
  
  Provenance: Private Collection, Eastern Shore, Maryland
  
  Literature: Ronald J. Gard and Brian J. McGrath, "The Ward Brothers' Decoys: A Collector's Guide," Wolfe City, TX, 1989, p. 112, rigmates illustrated.
  Robert H. Richardson, "Chesapeake Bay Decoys: The Men Who Made and Used Them," Burtonsville, MD, 1991, p. 182, rigmate illustrated.
  C. John Sullivan, "Waterfowling on the Chesapeake, 1819-1936," Baltimore, MD, 2003.

  Condition

  Condition report requests can be made via email or by telephone (info@copleyart.com or 617.536.0030). Any condition statement given is a courtesy to customers, Copley will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition.
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