Frank Cassini Rig of Five Dove

Frank Cassini (1899-1967) Galesburg, IL, c. 1945 10 in. long

Vintage dove rigs by any maker are rare, with most known examples produced by the Mason Decoy Factory.

The heads of these birds were fitted with taxidermy eyes, reflecting Cassini’s other profession as a taxidermist. He closely studied live birds' forms, using them as models for his decoys. These were made in various positions and one bears a maker's identification under the tail. Original paint with light gunning wear and multiple stick holes on the bottoms of each.

Provenance: Masterworks of the Illinois River Collection

Literature: Stephen B. O'Brien Jr. and Julie Carlson, "Masterworks of the Illinois River," Boston, MA, 2005, p. 130, two exact decoys illustrated.

Exhibited: Salisbury, Maryland, “The Illinois River Meets the Chesapeake,” Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, September 2 - November 13, 2005.

Provenance

Masterworks of the Illinois River Collection