Clark Madera Pintail Pair

Clark Madara (1883-1953) Pitman, NJ, c. 1920 17 1/4 in. long

One of the finest New Jersey pintail pairs to ever come to market. This important pair of hollow decoys exhibits crisp lines, superb painted feather detail, and their original chamfered weights.

A county directory from the turn of the century lists Madara as a "house painter, gun smith and decoy maker." Original paint with even gunning wear. The hen has minor flaking on base of neck.

Provenance: Richard Gove Collection Trenton Spolar M.D. Collection

Literature: John Clayton, "New Jersey's Best Go West," Decoy Magazine, January/February 2014, p. 31, exact decoys illustrated. James R. Doherty, "Classic New Jersey Decoys," Philadelphia, PA, 2011, p. 162, plate 339, similar decoy illustrated. Henry A. Fleckenstein Jr., "New Jersey Decoys," Exton, PA, 1983, p. 46, pl. XXIV, similar decoys illustrated.

Exhibited: St. Charles, Illinois, North American Vintage Decoy & Sporting Collectibles Show, Vintage New Jersey Decoy Display, April 25-26, 2014.

Provenance

Richard Gove Collection Trenton Spolar M.D. Collection