Mason Decoy Factory Important Oversized Long-billed Curlew

Mason Decoy Factory (1896-1924) Detroit, MI, c. 1900 An exceptional example of Mason’s, "A-1-enamel glass eyes... Long Bill Curlew.” This description is transcribed from an original Mason's Decoy catalog. In their 1993 publication on Mason decoys, Goldberger and Haid discuss curlew by Mason as being, “huge; the bodies alone are 12-inches long.” This example measures thirteen and one-half inches from the tip of the tail to the front of the breast.

William J. Mackey, Jr. writes in “Classic Shorebird Decoys: A Portfolio of Paintings” : "Mason's skilled company of woodworkers and artists turned out numerous fine decoys-... The Mason curlew... in original paint... would be one of the finest of factory shorebirds. Mason's paint was of unusual high quality,... it has mellowed with age, but still retains the original luxurious, gemlike coloring. The method of application was also peculiar to Mason decoys. The paint is applied in a swirling pattern that made it stand up well against the roughest treatment and the saltiest Atlantic tidewaters. The painting style of Mason's decoys is fixed in a traditional, rather rigid pattern, but there is never a feeling of monotony, but rather one of rich ornamentation."

This decoy exhibits the finest work of Mason's painters.

A similar example is currently on exhibit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, New York, "Decoys From the Collection of the American Folk Art Museum, New York," present. Outstanding original paint with nice patina, light gunning wear, a couple tight age lines, and a ding on the underside.

Provenance: Private Collection

Literature: Russ J. Goldberger and Alan G. Haid, "Mason Decoys: A Complete Pictorial Guide," Burtonsville, MD, 1993, pp. 106, 107, 136, and back dust-jacket cover, similar decoys illustrated. Alan G. Haid and Brandy S. Culp, "The Allure of the Decoy," Charleston, SC, 2013, p. 61, similar decoy illustrated. Milton C. Weiler and William J. Mackey, Jr., "Classic Shorebird Decoys: A Portfolio of Paintings," New York, NY, 1971, plate 12, Mackey text.

Provenance

Private Collection