Ocracoke, North Carolina, circa 1900, carved and painted wood, iron bill and stake, published on page 124 of Shorebird Decoys of North Carolina by Kroghie Andresen.

Length 11 in.

From the Personal Collection of Philip and Susan Harvey

Leonard Bryant is the only known African American decoy maker from Ocracoke and the second known from North Carolina. Henry Pigott from Portsmouth Island was the other. Research shows he was married to Elsie Jane around the turn of the century and they decided to stay on Ocracoke. Between 1902 and 1924, they had nine children and much is written about their daughter Muzel who was born in 1904. A rig mate of this beach robin is published on the centerfold (pages 120 and 121) of Mattamuskeet and Ocracoke Waterfowl Heritage by Jack Dudley and on page 135 of Shorebird Decoys of North Carolina by Kroghie Andresen and Philip Harvey. Artist Joseph Koch from Ohio spend his summers painting in Ocracoke. In the 1950s, he purchased some shorebird decoys from Sid Tolson, a life long Ocracoker and avid hunter. He also purchased shorebird decoys direct from islander Leonard Bryant who also made boats. This collection of nine shorebird decoys became known as the JoKo collage. This collage was made up of decoys by Roscoe Willis, Leonard Bryant, and possibly another unknown hand.
Iron stake is 14.5 in. in length

Original paint with moderate gunning wear, corrosion to iron elements.