Cedar Island, Virginia, before 1900, carved and painted wood.

Length, 11 in.

From the Collection of Tilford Wade

This Knotts Island ruddy duck is one of the most iconic ruddy forms known in the southern decoy collecting community. Family members have reported that decoys from this rig were used by John Williams and were found in his rig but were probably made earlier by another family member. Tilford Wade was the caretaker of the Swan Island Club and was a picker for decoy collector icon and author Bill Mackey. Tilford admired this decoy so much he decided to keep it and not trade it to Mackey.

Old gunning paint, hit by shot, partial bill professionally replaced.