Rare Beavertail Pintail Drake, The Ward Brothers

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The Winter Sale 2019

By Copley Fine Art Auctions

Feb 16, 2019

Set Reminder 2019-02-16 10:00:00 2019-02-16 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : The Winter Sale 2019 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/copley/the-winter-sale-2019-3820
The sale will offer the opportunity to view and take home world-class paintings and fine bird carvings. Featuring selections from the collections of Alfred Ely, L. H. LaMonte, Grant Nelson, Ronald S. Swanson, Herb Wetanson, and a descendant of Chester F. Spear among others. Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com

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• Lot Description
  Rare Beavertail Pintail Drake
  The Ward Brothers
  Lemuel T. (1896-1984) and Stephen (1895-1976)
  Crisfield, MD, c. 1930
  20 1/4 in. long
  
  “Stephen W. Ward (1895-1976) and his brother Lemuel Travis Ward (1896-1984) of Crisfield, Maryland were by far the most prominent Chesapeake Bay carvers of the twentieth century and among the greatest and most influential bird carvers of all time. The brothers worked closely together throughout their lives, combining the complementary talents of Steve’s hand carving and Lem’s brushwork to create works of extraordinary grace and realism.” -Robert Shaw “Bird Decoys of North America: Nature, History, and Art”
  
  This decoy was found in the home of a Pennsylvania gentleman by Frank Schmidt. The owner was a friend of the Wards and acquired it from the brothers near the time of its creation. This early retirement from hunting may explain the exceptional condition the bird displays.
  The Ward Brothers captured the likeness of species in their carvings as well as any decoy makers in history, and their early abilities are on full display in this drake. This beavertail model shows Steve’s refinement of the earlier humpback design. Gard and McGrath note that “the pintail was Lem’s favorite bird and he shows this preference in the painting of his pintails.” This decoy has survived as one of the finest examples from the rig.
  Describing a rigmate from the Brodie M. Henson collection in 1964, John Leavens writes, "One of a set of stool made to order for Senator Elwood Dize of Crisfield, Maryland."
  
  The underside of this lot is inscribed “L.T. WARD - Bro. CRISFIELD, MD -1930-” and bears a paper tag with typed and hand-written collector's notes also referring to Senator Dize. Excellent original paint with even gunning wear.
  
  Provenance: Private Collection, Pennsylvania
  Herb Wetanson Collection
  
  Literature: Ronald J. Gard and Brian J. McGrath, "The Ward Brothers' Decoys: A Collector's Guide," Plano, TX, 1989, p. 58, photo 32, rigmate illustrated.
  Guyette and Schmidt, "North American Decoys at Auction, November 8 & 9, 2000," Easton Maryland, cover, and lot 258, exact decoy illustrated.
  Robert Shaw, "Bird Decoys of North America," New York, NY, 2010, p. 203. John M. Leavens, "The Stylistic Development of Lem Ward," "Decoy Collector's Guide," Burlington, IA, Oct.-December, 1964, p. 28, rigmate illustrated.

  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.
• Shipping Info

  • Shipping info

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