36 Canvasback Hen
The Ward Brothers
Lemuel T. (1896-1984) and Stephen (1895-1976)
Crisfield, MD, 1936
16 in. long

The Ward 1936 Canvasback is an American bird decoy classic. The full body, with a humped back and refined turned-head carving, superb surface, excellent condition, and the provenance of this lot place it among the best Ward hen canvasbacks known. Additionally, the makers' hens are harder to find than their drakes.

The underside bears both of the Ward brothers' signatures, Lem's inked inscription "1936 L. T. Ward - Bro.," and William H. Purnell's "P" brand. Bill Purnell is a highly-respected Southern decoy collector with many of the top decoys from Virginia and Maryland having passed through his hands.
Original paint with gunning wear, some minor touch-up to reset bill and neck area, repair to left side of tail edge, and a crack along underside.

Provenance: William H. Purnell Jr. Collection
Private Collection

Literature: Copley Fine Art Auctions, "The Donal C. O"Brien Jr. Collection of Important American Sporting Art and Decoys, Sessions I-II," July 27, 2017, p. 112, lot 40, related decoy illustrated.Glenn Lawson, "The Story of Lem Ward," West Chester, PA, 1984, p. 49, related decoy illustrated.Robert Shaw, "Call to the Sky: The Decoy Collection of James M. McCleery, M.D.," Houston, TX, 1992, pp. 76-77, related decoy illustrated.Ronald J. Gard and Brian J. McGrath, "Ward Brothers" Decoys: A Collector"s Guide," Wolf City, TX, 1989, pl. 15, related decoy illustrated.Lemuel T. Ward Jr. and Paul Shertz, "The Decoys of Lem and Steve Ward," printed by Phototype Engraving, Philadelphia, PA, 1978, related decoy illustrated.

Please email condition report requests to colin@copleyart.com. 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.