The Hunter Sterling Wood Duck Drake
Lloyd Aaron Sterling (1880-1964)
Crisfield, MD, c. 1925
15 in. long, 10 1/2 in. tall

This is among the earliest decorative wood duck carvings known to have surfaced. It was one of the top decoy lots of 1989 when it was sold as an early Lem Ward carving.

The carving features a grand crest and is fitted with early "peach basket" wing tips. It stands proudly upright on its original legs and feet, which have been fitted to a secure contemporary base.

This early Southern decorative appears to be unique and has resided in the distinguished wood duck collection of the late Charlie Hunter. One related and highly coveted standing black duck by the maker is held in the collection of Dick and Susan McIntyre. With virtually no known early Ward brothers wood ducks know to exist, this stately carving reigns as a king among all Crisfield summer ducks.
Original paint with moderate wear, including some flaking, a tight crack in neck, and some touch-up to white.

Provenance: Private Collection, Northeast
Charlie S. Hunter III Collection
Private Collection, Connecticut

Literature: "The 1989 Year In Review," Decoy Magazine, p. 26, exact decoy illustrated and labeled as a Lem Ward.Richard A. Bourne Co., Inc., "American Decoys & Bird Carvings," Hyannis, MA, September 25, 1989, back cover and lot 242, exact decorative 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.