Ned Burgess (NC, 1868-1958), Rare Ruddy Duck

Churches Island, North Carolina, circa 1920s, carved and painted wood.

Length 11.5 in.

The Burgess ruddy drakes varied in style but always have an outstanding presence. Some are very dark brown while others have a chocolate paint application. This appears to be an earlier example, a similar ruddy is published on page 227, plate 493, of Southern Decoys of Virginia and the Carolinas by Henry Fleckenstein.

Original paint, later white added to the cheek patch, age check and wood damage on the left side, hit by shot.