This Bufflehead Decoy, a replica of one carved by an unknown Nantucket carver, circa 1870, is the work of Artist Kevin J. Kerrigan, a nationally-known master carver.  This particularly charming decoy, signed and dated by the artist, is 11" long, 5 1/2" high and 5" wide - painted in black and shades of cream and grey.

For the past 35 years, Kevin has worked in the art of hand-carving and painting reproductions of antique waterfowl decoys. He specializes in precise replicas of the much-sought-after works of the last generation of master carvers such as Elmer Crowell, Shang Wheeler, Lem Dudley, Ward Brothers and Joe Lincoln. His work focuses on a wide variety of shore and water birds.

Kevin learned his craft under the tutelage of the late Ralph Morrell, distinguished Zoologist Emeritus at the Peabody Museum in New Haven. Morrell inspired Kevin's interest in decoy carving and helped develop his unfaltering sense of accuracy and aestheticism. Kerrigan and Morrell subsequently collaborated on many projects that included detail paintings for the Peabody Museum, the Museum of Natural History, and The Smithsonian Institute.

An avid sportsman and naturalist, Kevin is often invited to speak at wildlife conservation forums throughout New England. He has served as a director of the Connecticut Wildlife Federation and was a recipient of the Ducks Unlimited Distinguished Service Award. Kevin was Orvis' Sport & Field Day Antique Decoy Artist of the Year in 2000/2001. Kevin's decoys were on display in 2007 at the Ferguson Museum, Fisher's Island, NY in the exhibit "The History of Shorebird Hunting at the Turn of the Century."

Currently, Kevin has been commissioned by Orvis to create limited edition decoys for their Fall and Holiday Catalogs. In addition to his collaborations with Orvis, Kevin's decoys are sold across the country to select collectors and shops. His works have been featured in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, House and Garden, and Country Living.  In late 2010, he will be the subject of a "coffee-table" book: "Decoys by Kevin Kerrigan."

This decoy would be a wonderful addition to a home of any style, be it on Nantucket or on the mainland. Kevin's work is an accurate, yet decorative reproduction of a vintage Nantucket decoy and would also be a treasured gift.