Ferdinand Bach Canvasback Drake

Ferdinand Bach (1888-1967) Detroit, MI, c. 1930 This content bird displays exceptional bill carving, extensive feather carving on the back and gently notched tail feather detail. This classic wide-body model is approximately nine inches wide. The bottom is incised with the maker's stylized "F. Bach" signature.

The underside of the decoy has "Ralph Loeff" written in faded ink. Ralph Loeff (1921-2002) was a founding member of the midwest Decoy Collectors Association and was an exhibitor at their first show with co-founders Willis Pennington and Hal Sorenson. Loeff was known for his generous 1976 gift of twenty-five outstanding decoys to the Art Institute of Chicago. The decoy is in excellent gunning paint with nice patina. Bach was know to keep the birds in his personal gunning rig meticulously painted and this decoy shows a second coat by the maker.

Provenance: Ferdinand Bach rig Ralph Loeff Collection Private Collection

Literature: Donna Tonelli, "Top of the Line Hunting Collectibles," Atglen, PA, 1998, p. 111, similar decoy illustrated. Robert Shaw, "Bird Decoys of North America," New York, NY, 2010, p. 239, similar decoy illustrated.

Provenance

Ferdinand Bach rig Ralph Loeff Collection Private Collection