Mark Kears Outstanding Red-breasted Merganser Drake

Mark Kears (1888-1972) (attr.) Northfield, NJ, c. 1920 Comparable in contruction, form and paint to works by New Jersey’s master carvers Harry V. Shourds (1861-1920) and Nathan Rowley Horner (1882-1942) this eary mergansers decoy retains a nice mellow patina. Given the bird’s age, it may in fact be the work of a previous generation of Kears carvers. Original paint with even gunning wear and flaking.

Literature: Henry A. Fleckenstein, Jr., "New Jersey Decoys," Exton, PA, 1983, p. 130, plate 289, similar example illustrated. James R. Doherty, "Classic New Jersey Decoys," Louisville, KY, 2011, plates 328, 329, p. 158, rigmate illustrated.