Ward Brothers Style Hand-Carved Wooden Duck Decoy Bookends

A pair of hand-carved and hand-painted wooden duck decoy bookends, currently displayed within a glass and wood protective case. These carvings represent the folk art tradition made famous by Lemuel and Steve Ward of Crisfield, Maryland. The pair consists of two distinct species: a Black Duck and an American Wigeon (Baldpate). The Black Duck features a deep brownish-black body with high-relief, hand-painted feather detailing and a bright yellow-green bill. The Wigeon possesses the characteristic white crown, green eye patch, and gray speckled cheeks common to the species. Both decoys are carved with the realistic, fluid neck lines and expressive head positions typical of the Ward Brothers style from the mid-20th century. The construction appears to be high-quality solid wood with a matte finish that exhibits a light age-related patina. There are minor abrasions visible on the bills and some light surface dust, but the paint remains largely vibrant with little evidence of significant flaking or structural cracking. The glass case features a mirrored back, which provides a 360-degree view of the craftsmanship and emphasizes the depth of the wood carving. These items represent a intersection of American sporting art and domestic functional decor, likely dating from the 1960s to the 1980s based on the decorative finish and condition.