Mason Decoy Factory Curlew

Mason Decoy Factory (1896-1924) Detroit, MI, c. 1900 18 in. long

The Grant Nelson Collection of Shorebird Decoys is one of the finest ever assembled. Nelson’s love for shorebirds grew out of his appreciation for avian works by Boston impressionist painter Frank W. Benson (1862- 1951).

For two decades, Nelson’s focus was on acquiring exemplary works with great form, surface, and provenance. Nelson’s acquisitions, totaling well over one hundred birds, are a defining collection in the field.

In discussing this exact decoy, David Schorsch states, “The Mason Factory produced superbly painted decoys of this species which, according to Goldberger and Haid, ‘are among the finest shorebirds made by any maker…one of the crowning achievements of the Mason Factory. They represent an anchor of many a shorebird collection.’” Original paint with even gunning wear, touch-up to back, neck seam, and filler under bill.

Provenance: Grant Nelson Collection, acquired from David A. Schorsch American Antiques, Inc.

Literature: David A. Schorsch, "American Decoys II: A Folk Art Tradition," New York, NY, 1996, p. 57, plate 28, exact decoy illustrated.

Provenance

Grant Nelson Collection, acquired from David A. Schorsch American Antiques, Inc.