VINTAGE MASON PREMIER GRADE HEN MALLARD DUCK DECOY HOLLOW PAINT
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:539235 | Country/Region of Manufacture: United States |
| Duck Type: MALLARD | Material: Wood |
| Brand: Mason | Features: Antique, Hollow Body |
Up for auction is a very early and wonderful hollow-carved Premier Grade Mallard Hen made by the Mason decoy factory in Detroit, ca. 1900. These early decoys were hand carved rather than turned on a lathe as was the case after 1903. This decoy is in very good original paint with relatively minor wear. Neck filler has been replaced and it also has a typical tail chip repair with touch-up evident in both areas. There is some slight separation a...t the mid-line seam and the decoy does have several minor dings to be expected in a bird that is 120 years old. There is some paint loss in several spots on the decoy (see photos). It has a crack in the bottom that does extend about 2-1/2 inches into the breast. There is also one very fine age check on the left side of the back. That said, it is clear that this decoy was not heavily used based on its fine overall condition. The paint remains very strong with those coveted brush swirls still very visible on the body. The speculums remain bright as do the feather loops. It carries a hot stamped “R.W.” on the bottom as well as a painted one. It has a lead strip weight on the bottom as well. This extraordinary decoy measures 17-1/2” long; 6” wide; and 7-1/4” tall. Please ask questions or for more pictures. Shipping includes insurance and is higher outside of the USA. Add $10 for shipments to Washington, Oregon, and California. (Sorry…the Postal Service has gotten very pricey for cross country trips.) Thanks for looking.
