CHESAPEAKE WINGS DECOYS by Mike Robinson
My Decoy Carving Philosophy HERE
Ward swimming pinch breast Pintails. The beautiful sleek reproduction decoys have crops loaded with corn and are content, fat and happy. The pair bring together the Ward Pintail designs of the late 20's and early 30's, as it is not set in stone as to the exact dates of the different designs of this period. Some Ward Pintails of this era were real classics in the sense that it is hard to tell if they were decorative or gunning decoys, which in fact helped make the reputation of the brothers as "Wildfowl Counterfeiters in Wood" The well known 32 "crab basket" or "peach basket" decorative pair with the inserted veneer wings are evoked in the above drake ( but it has no inserts) and we can also see features of the later 30's up to the "36" model Pintails in both the hen and drake. Although I have not seen swimming Pintails from the Wards, they did make swimming Geese and other birds so it is likely they might have made some swimming Pintails. Sources close the the Wards say they made far less decoys than usually quoted in books and that the majority of these were lost, worn out and/or destroyed in some way. These decoys are constructed from Sitka Spruce. Sitka Spruce is a lightweight exotic wood that is used for the finist of musical instruments and is very hard to obtain in any quantity. Very light for its density it makes a really fine decoy that is strong but light, especially useful for long tailed birds. Both decoys have extensive scratch painting and wonderful patinas. Drake has head turned 35% and Hen 15% (hard to see in photos) They are moderately worn and aged as if there was some gunning use. Drake and Hen are slightly different as to Drake and Hen conformation and form. These photos do no justice to the symmetry, poise and refined nature and realism of this excellent pair. SOLD
Ward "butterball" Green Wing Teal. I believe that a Ward Teal decoys like this one preceded the fantastic elongated 1936 model. These were probably made in the mid-20's just like the Bishops Head Humpback Widgeon on the front page of Decoys for Sale and follow the "hunpback" conformation of that time period. This reproduction decoy evokes the middle range of Ward decoy evolution coming after the more crude early models but not quite up to the later finer forms of the 30's. Many love this range of Ward birds for their fantastic true folk art appeal. This decoy has been totally hand produced and crafted from local wood from the cutting of the log, to air drying, hand chopping and finishing. Superb aged and stressed patina reminiscent of the finest of original aged decoys. Head turned 40 degrees. Decoy has heavy scratch feather painting on the most dark areas. SOLD
"Lems Shorebird" This was the same style of shorebird Lem Ward used in his personal shorebird decoy rig prior to the 1918 ban on shorebird hunting. This Large Greater Yellowlegs have been beautifully reproduced in Cedar and given a proper amount of age for its timeline. Only 1 of the original decoys remains from the original rig of at least a dozen. From researching old photos of the remaining bird I gave this decoy a longer neck, but kept the duck like head carving of the original as I know that the creative nature of Lem Ward, would not allow him to make the whole rig the same. Ever the duckmen, the Wards made few shorebirds after the 1918 ban. Decoy is made from old growth western red cedar at least 200 years old. Raised wings and carved, not inserted bill. SOLD
Flying Folky Curlew . This shorebird is taking a swift banking dive to ground with right wing cupped for braking and the left wing shortened for less drag and the trailing edge feathers fluttering. The wings have natural curves detailed as to proper front edges for lift and shape with primary fluted feathers made possible by Sitka Spruce construction. Sitka Spruce is the same wood World War 1 air planes used for strength and lightness. Light as a feather but very strong. Nice stressing and ageing. Pleasing Wings are detachable as four gold headed pins are used to affix wings. Nice color driftwood base. Bill actual curved tree branch. Tack eyes and shot holes. SOLD
Chesapeake Bay Hollow Preening Canada Goose by Mike Robinson. This old bull neck honker has a removable wing held on tightly with three pegs showing excellent craftsmanship. A large but featherweight goose 20 inches long by 8 inches wide and a 14 inch wing. Note unique cut in feathers on body. This goose has a fantastic folk art look. rich color and presence. A Photograph in one dimension cannot convey the three dimension look of this bird. The totality of the body and wing gives a very large signature that makes a wonderful display piece. Put this honker in your office or home and I can guarantee it will draw some lively conversation. $2600
Alaska Guide Mallard. In 1976 I started waterfowl guiding in Alaska and created these pontoon hollow lightweight decoys. Tough, almost unbreakable, stackable and very light, these modern folk art decoys were created for the Alaskan "bush" remote hunting areas. They work well on water, ice or land. There is a sleeping, tucked head and feeding model. Very few folk art type decoys have been made in Alaska, a great addition to complete a North American collection. ALL SOLD Read more