Churches Island, North Carolina, circa 1940s, carved and painted wood.

Length 17 in.

From the Personal Collection of Mr. Kroghie Andresen, Charlotte, North Carolina

Dennis Curles, son of Purnell Curles, gifted this pair of decoys to Kroghie Andresen on November 8, 2011.

Purnell Curles was born and raised on Churches Island and made a living by hunting and fishing the Currituck land. Curles started carving decoys in the 1940s. He was deeply influenced by Ned Burgess and his birds are often mistaken as being made by him. It is believed that Curles bought heads from Burgess and put them on his bodies.

Original paint with light gunning wear, hen has a working repair to the neck and hit by shot.