Guy Taplin (British, b. 1939), Ruddy Duck, carved and polychrome driftwood sculpture of a resting duck, red-brown with black/tan head, flat bill, and black tailfeathers. Taplin label on underside, also titled on underside. 6-1/4"H x 12"L x 6"W. Accompanied by a Taplin postcard picturing a similar Ruddy Duck. Provenance: acquired by the consignors directly from the artist while living in England 1983-1984. Biography: Self-taught artist Guy Taplin was born in London on the eve of WWII. A bird lover since childhood, he taught himself to create decorative decoy duck type figures out of driftwood using basic found materials. His work has received international recognition and examples are owned by the Royal Family and the Tate Museum. Condition: The sculpture has a thick shell-like layer of paint over wood which has been affected by overall expansion and contraction. There is cracking to the paint layer around the duck's entire center section, especially on the left side of the duck, particularly at the back where the wood itself is also cracked (under the tail feathers) and extending up around the neck area where the cracking is not as deep.