Mallard drake and hen carved by Richard B. Lewis III. Excellent condition. The solid mahogany platform base measures 11.5 x 10 x 2 inches. Excellent carving. Richard B. Lewis (often signed as R. B. Lewis or R. D. Lewis) was a prominent American wood sculptor and folk artist who became widely celebrated for his highly detailed, hand-carved wooden duck decoys. Initially based in California's San Fernando Valley, Lewis transitioned into full-time wood carving around 1970. In 1978, he relocated to escape suburban congestion, continuing his prolific career elsewhere. His decoy art became highly collectible, earning him a competitive reputation in prominent folk art circles, including placements at the prestigious Ward World Championship. Artistic Style & Characteristics • Realism & Accurately Stained Finishes: Unlike carvers who relied purely on thick, opaque paints, Lewis was well-known for his specialized color-staining techniques. This allowed the natural grain of the wood to show through while maintaining true-to-life waterfowl patterns. • Lifelike Details: His decoys typically featured authentic glass eyes and meticulously carved feather details that captured the distinct "essence" of the bird. While duck decoys were his most successful and widely collected items during the peak of the decoy collecting boom in the 1970s, Lewis was a diverse wildlife and folk artist. • Early Career: He began his career carving large wooden cigar-store Indians after seeing commercial variants that he felt lacked artistic quality. • Wildlife Art: He carved a wide array of wildlife, including eagles, buffalo, and detailed dog head busts. Today, his early 1970s waterfowl carvings are considered highly sought-after pieces of vintage American folk art.