Lester “Dipper” Ortley

Lester Ortley was the son of Bessie Birdsall Ortley who was married to carver Eugene Birdsall. Eugene taught Ortley how to make decoys, so of course some similarities exist between the men’s pieces. Ortley placed the heads of his birds directly on the bodies, neglecting to carve any sort of neck shelf. Painted eyes are set in wide eye grooves. Other characteristics of Lester Ortley’s work are typical of the New Jersey style.