Ben Dye (MD, 1827-1896), Ruddy Duck

Perryville, Maryland, circa 1870s, carved and painted wood.

Length 11 in.

Capt. Ben Dye was a hunter and fisherman who made decoys for guides and hunters. Very few ruddy decoy by his hand exist today.

Old paint stripped to bare wood, putty filled where original rigging was removed, an early application of linseed oil on the surface.