This is a great display decoy by Captain Vernon A. Bryant (1959--) of Perryville, Maryland. Captain Bryant's hand-carved decoys are from the Susquehanna Flats Region at the head of the Chesapeake Bay. At age 11, Bryant received a gift of some old decoys from his grandfather and learned to repair them, sparking a lifelong interest in decoys. After working for his father in the carpentry business, he opened his own shop in 1989 selling his decoys and in 1995 he quit the carpentry business to carve full-time. He has won awards that include one from the prestigious Havre de Grace Decoy Museum in Maryland.

This handsome blue wing teal drake retains its original paint on its solid wood body that's carved in the preening position. It has painted eyes, the original lead weight and an attached rigging ring. It's branded BRYANT on the bottom, stamped into the wood. The carving measures 11 1/2 inches long, 5-1/2 inches wide, and 6 1/2 inches tall. Weighing in at 1 pound, 6 ounces, it's in very good condition, with only minor wear.

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