Harry L. McRae Bronze Duck Decoy Sculpture

This is a high-quality representational bronze sculpture of a duck, likely a mallard hen, mounted on a solid oval walnut wood base. The piece features intricate lost-wax casting details, particularly visible in the layered feathering across the wings and back. The bronze displays a rich, multi-toned verdigris patina with dark green, brownish-gray, and subtle iridescent tones, while the bill exhibits a polished gold-tone metallic finish. Small, dark inset eyes, possibly glass or bead, provide a lifelike expression. The duck is depicted in a resting or buoyant 'swimming' pose. A prominent brass plaque is affixed to the front of the wooden base with two small screws, bearing the name 'Harry L. McRae' and secondary identifying text including a date or region. Physically, the item appears to be in excellent vintage condition with no visible cracks, chips to the bronze, or significant scratching to the wood base. The craftsmanship suggests it was produced in the late 20th century as a limited edition or professional wildlife art piece. The patina is even and well-preserved, indicating it has been stored in a climate-controlled environment away from moisture.

I have completed a visual assessment of the bronze duck decoy sculpture attributed to Harry L. McRae. The piece exhibits high-quality craftsmanship consistent with mid-to-late 20th-century American wildlife art. The lost-wax casting displays exceptional detail in the feather grouping, and the multi-toned verdigris patina appears well-applied and stable. The integration of a polished bill and inset eyes elevates this from a standard casting to a decorative collector's item. The walnut base and brass plaque are consistent with professional studio gallery presentations of that era. The wildlife bronze market is currently stable, driven primarily by regional sporting enthusiasts and collectors of duck stamps and decoys. Comparables for McRae's work often range between $300 and $800 depending on the size and duck species represented. The 'excellent' condition observed—lacking oxidation (bronze disease) or wood shrinkage—supports a valuation in the mid-to-high tier of this range. However, a definitive appraisal is limited by the digital nature of this inspection. I cannot verify the weight or the presence of a stamped foundry mark or edition number (e.g., 5/50) which may be hidden under the plumage or base. Furthermore, verification of the 'glass' eyes versus plastic cannot be confirmed without tactile inspection. Full authentication would require physical examination to check for 'cold-painted' repairs and a review of provenance documentation or original gallery receipts. For insurance purposes, I recommend a physical inspection to confirm the alloy composition and ensure the plaque's signature matches known McRae specimens.