Knotts Island, North Carolina, circa 1890, carved and painted wood.

Length 12 in.

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

Former collection of Jim Roberts, Charlottesville, Virginia.

Peele Ballance was born in Maple, North Carolina. He moved to Knotts Island in 1891 after his first wife passed away. He farmed and established a very successful market hunting business. Ruddy ducks were considered a delicacy in the New York restaurants and they would pay a dollar a piece for them until market hunting was outlawed in 1918. This rare ruddy decoy was used in his market hunting operation.

Old gunning paint, age checks in the body.