Ben Fulcher (NC, 1883-1953), Roothead Brant

Ocracoke, North Carolina, circa 1910, carved and painted wood, incised BF on the left side, HARVEY collection stamp.

Length 17 in.

From the Personal Collection of Philip and Susan Harvey.

In his early days, Ben Fulcher sailed merchant ships, earning good money for the time. After returning to Ocracoke following his merchant shipping days, he became an accomplished decoy carver, waterman, and hunting guide. Around 1910, Bill Gaskill hired him to assist in guiding the numerous waterfowl clients at the Beacon Island hunting operation. Most of his decoys did not survive.

Old gunning paint, age checks in the body, rigging wear to the bottom.

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