Rufus Roberts (NC, 1897-1954), Goose

Churches Island, North Carolina, circa 1930s, carved and painted wood, tack eyes, Charlie Hunter's copper collection tag.

Length 17 in.

Former collection of Charlie Hunter.

An extremely rare species for the maker. Rufus Roberts was one of the more notable decoy carvers from Churches Island. Rufus lived with Bode White and helped him operate the Bode White Lodge. When Bode died, Rufus and his brother Oscar, operated their own hunting lodge called the Rufus Brothers Lodge. It was only in operation for a short period as it burned to the ground in 1935. Many decoys were lost, and reportedly, Rufus never recovered from this loss.

Old gunning paint, working repair to the neck.