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Redhead by Oliver Lawson, Crisfield, MD. Solid body,carved from cedar wood, this decoy is carved in the classic 1936 model style of Lem and Steve Ward. Stipple paint applied to back gives a textured and durable feathered appearence. Oil paints contribute a dry patina. This decoy is as close to a Ward original for a fraction of the cost. Mr. Lawson was Lem and Steve's friend, neighbor and understudy. This decoy $975.
Half size Red Breasted Merganser drake by Miles Hancock (1888-1974) Chincoteague, Va.
This decoy made and dated 1969 measures 5 inches tall and 12 inches long. A solid body, but carved from two pieces of wood. Paint is outstanding and original. Tack eyes are fresh and clean. Mr. Miles painted with oils. During this period, shortly before his death, most of his decoy production were half-size or miniatures. This is a very nice example of Mr. Miles' work . Sold.
Vintage Dowitcher by Mark McNair. This Sculpture, in a feeding posture has a rich mellow patina. The bill is splined through the head and paint has some crazing around the shoulders, (this adds to the vintage patina). Mark's Dowitcher has the appearance of a 100 year old shorebird decoy. $1500.
Outstanding New England influenced hollow Black Duck by Ian McNair,Eastern Shore, VA. Excellent form with a mellow patina. Incised wing carving and scratch style paint, prevalent on the head. Ian had a great mentor, his father, and it is obvious to see the McNair tradition. It is rare to find carvings by Ian due to the minimal availability. I hope my pictures can properly capture the elegance of this Black Duck. She measures 17 inches, bill to tail. I McNair carved on bottom and rigged for gunning, but would sit pristinely on your shelf. $1075.
1970's Canvasback pair. Hollow and carved from cedar wood, painted with oil and stippled back with lead paint (as the Ward Bro's.). Danny Marshall was a student of Lem and Steve Ward. He grew up near Saxis, Virginia across Pocomoke Sound from Crisfield, MD. This '36 model style pair has aged and mellowed appropriately for 40 year old decoys. The hen has a small "puppy chew" on tip of bill. Both drake and hen have a sight check in back from shrinkage. Danny served as a hunting guide on Fox Island, Tangier Sound and worked as a game warden. He now resides on Chincoteague Island. Dan Marshall brand on bottom of both. This pair $1100.
Peep Shorebird by Mark McNair.This Peep is in the style Obediah Verity (1850-1910). Oak bill splined/inserted through back of head, great little wing carving and Mark's outstanding paint on this 5 inch long carving. $950.
Yellow legs by David Bundick, Modestown, Va. Natural content attitude on this shorebird made approx. 1989. Nice raised primary feathers and clean lines, which you would expect from Dave. David is a professional craftsman who has not entered contest or exhibited at the major shows in nearly 20 years. David refurbishes classic old homes and restores them as accurately as possible. "This Old House" on Virginia's Shore. Bundick carved on underside. A nice Virginia shorebird for only $325.
Artistic Eskimo Curlew by Chincoteague Island native, Ronald Justis. Realistic raised wing with bill tucked, preening Curlew. Ronald shows his talent and desire to capture nature as he observes it on his barrier island. Carved from white cedar and painted with oils, this Curlew stands on a creative Assateague beach sand base. Signed under base and also "RJ" carved under tail, this decoy is sure to be revered as more than folk art. Ronald has only made 6 or so of this style shorebird and they will not be mass produced. Approx. 14 inches in height, base to wingtip. You better own one while they are still very reasonable. $900.
Ira Hudson style miniature Goose by Reggie Birch, Chincoteague Island,VA. This carving by Reggie is illustrated on page 13 of the Sept/ Oct. 2009 issue of Hunting and Fishing Collectibles MagazineReggie is a very sought after Virginia decoy maker who has been at his trade for over 30 years. Reggie's family roots in VA., can be traced to 1763 and Assateague Island (a barrier Island that runs east of the Virginia and Maryland coast).This goose $325.
"Confidence Decoy" by William Kennedy, Southland Texas. This Gull by Bill is carved in the classic Chesapeake Bay tradition. Hand-chopped and carved from white cedar ,
hollowed and pegged. The cedar bill is splined through the head, which is pegged and glued to the body. Signed and dated 2009. Bill uses oil paint and antiques the finish for that old worn patina. Born in Havre De Grace, MD. 63 years ago, Bill grew up hanging around the shops and gunning sheds of long-gone Maryland makers. Bill is an "old school" maker, using hand tools and a shaving horse from Charlestown, MD. This Gull $475.
"Three Left Terns" by Eastern Shore of Virginia carver Ira Skees. These elegant birds are all identically carved from northern white cedar and are mounted on a custom made base of wild cherry wood salvaged from a storm damaged tree that fell several years ago. Each of the terns feature raised wing carving, and diamond shaped, inletted bills that are pegged in the back of the head. Although carved identically, each is painted slightly different in artist's tube oils which tends to add another dimension to the display. All three are lightly aged with an incredibly soft patina befitting a group of shorebirds 100 years or older. I. Skees carved in the bottom of each. This piece as shown $950.
J. Lloyd Sterling, Crisfield, MD (1880-1964).Canvasback decoy circa 1950. Balsa wood carving with lead strap and tack eyes. Back is stipple painted with lead. Near mint condition with only small smudges and or dry blood. Small brand of "TM" on bottom. $1250.
Pair of 3.5 inch long mallards by Lloyd J. Tyler (1898-1970) Crisfield,MD. Very rare and highly collectible pair by Mr. Tyler. The hen has a slight tail sliver. Lloyd used these miniatures as gifts and packaging materials. $550.
Large Ruddy Duck by Mark Finisecy of Faulkner, MD. in Southern MD near the famed Potomac River. Carved and finished in a primitive and antiqued style as an old hunting decoy. Incised wing carving and detail. The mouth of the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay are fertile hunting and fishing areas. Point Look Out where the bay meets the river in St. Mary's County, was a Union Army POW camp during the Civil War. Mark's Ruddy measures 11inches bill to tail and 7 inches wide. $475.
Folksy standing Widgeon hen by Lloyd Tyler, Crisfield MD. This decorative carving was made circa 1940. She has a slightly turned head and small end of bill damage. Note the painted feet on base and carved leg joints .Similar examples can be seen in Henry Stansbury's book titled Lloyd J. Tyler, Folk Artist,Decoy Maker (pages 9,38,67and 108). A rare carving and hard to find this uniquely Crisfield decoy. $1150
1936 Canvasbacks by Lem and Steve Ward of Crisfield Md.
These decoys have been in a private collection since the early 1980's. Drake is outstanding from the Fred Young rig of Pocomoke City, Md. Classic form and original paint with no apologies. Hen appears to have a bill repair. Would have been prior to the 1980's as the owner said would have been done prior to his acquisition when he met Lem and the late Charlie Bounds and purchased decoys. Repair possibly by Lem Ward. These classics would have sold at auction a few years ago for probably $50,000 and will again in the future. Great time to buy a rare example of Ward model 36 canvasbacks. $28,000.
Pintail pair by Oliver "Tuts" Lawson of Crisfield, MD.
Carved from balsa and painted with oils in 1958 and so signed and dated by Mr. Lawson. This miniature pair has some fading from the sun and 50 years on the shelf. This pair $775.
Content, snuggle pose drake Widgeon by Joseph Kralic, Stratford, CT. A special carving by Joe demonstrates the life-like attitude of this Baldpate. Joe's thick oil painting technique is fully evident as this bird comes to life. Note the feathered layers on the back and also the primaries. Pictures do not do this bird justice. $700.
Baldpate/Widgeon drake circa. 1930-40s by Miles Hancock,Chincoteague Island,VA. This decoy is carved from cottonwood/polonia wood. Painted in oils in a first class style and pattern .Scratch paint to face and neck. Opinions are that Delbert or Norman Hudson painted this decoy over 50 years ago. WHP branded in bottom (collector or hunter).Mr. Hancock was a gunning guide,trapper and terrapin farmer. His earliest decoy carvings were from the late 20's while he spent time helping and learning from Ira Hudson. $525.
One-of-a -kind shorebird gunning rig and box by Kenneth Hussey. Ken is a true craftsman and purist who identifies with his carpenter forefathers. Ken's box is dovetailed and uses old hardware. The stick-up shorebirds are numbered on each head and body 1-6 to match. You won't find anything like this set for $2350.
A sleek and elegant Common Tern by Brian Piccirillo. Measures 13 inches in length, carved from cedar with an inserted bill. This carving by Brian has two stand positions and rest on a boat cleat base. Brian is a carver and painter with a world of talent and becoming more popular in the decoy collecting world. BP is carved in underside. This example by Brian is Sold.
Standing Canvas-Covered Black Duck by Ken Hussey, Canada.The inspiration of this creation can be found in "Decoys of the Atlantic Flyway" by George Ross Star,Jr. (Color Plate no. 11). This Black Duck is constructed on a wooden frame which is wound with wire. the carved head and tail have been attached to the body frame. The body is then covered with a canvas skin, sewn from eight sections and tacked around the base of neck and tail. The canvas is then tightened and tacked along the center bottom. This Black duckstands about 17 inches tall and is painted with artist oils. Ken applies his creative talent to give the patina of a decoy made around 1858 as the original from Marshfield, Mass. This replica is dated 2009 and signed by the artist Ken Hussey. $750.
