Charles Ballance (NC, 1859-1933), Redhead

Bells Island, North Carolina, before 1900, carved and painted wood, iron rod ballast, similar example and probable rigmate published on page 134 of Gunnin' Birds by Kroghie Andresen.

Length 14.5 in.

From the Personal Collection of Philip and Susan Harvey.

Around 1900, Charles Ballance and Stant White made the first two man floating sit down sinkbox blind for use during the market hunting days. As the story goes, Charles dug a big hole in his yard and started making the new blind in the hole. He covered it up with a tarp each night so his neighbors would not see what they were doing and wouldn't make fun of them if it failed. They launched the sinkbox in the water and it worked very well. This helped their market hunting operation tremendously. This decoy is a sculptural masterwork. It was displayed in a prominent place in the Harvey home.

Original paint worn to base wood in most places, natural wood imperfection on the right side.

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