Nathan Rowley Horner The Mackey-carton Merganser Drake

Nathan Rowley Horner (1882-1942) West Creek, NJ, c. 1925 16 in. long

"He was much less prolific than Shourds, but his duck, brant, and goose decoys are among the most refined made on the New Jersey shore, with spare, elegant lines and subtly blended paint." — Robert Shaw, "Bird Decoys of North America"

One of New Jersey’s finest makers, Horner captured the elegance of this iconic species with this carving. The form of this hollow decoy represents Horner at his prime. It exhibits sleek lines, a thin neck, and long wooden crest tines. The bird was finished with Horner's wet blended paint and sharply trimmed designs. The presence of white paint over the weight suggests it may be a early working coat by Horner; however, it may well be the first coat.

Serendipitously, a rare rigmate hen was recently brought to light in 2023 from the estate of Malcom McAlpin of Blooming Grove, Pennsylvania. Excellent Horner paint with even gunning wear, neck and tip of middle crest tine are reset, and there is a chip to underside of top tine.

Provenance: William J. Mackey Jr. Collection Lawrence A. Carton Jr. Collection, acquired from the above, c. 1950 Peter Carton Collection, by descent from the above

Literature: James R. Doherty, "Classic New Jersey Decoys," Louisville, KY, 2011, pp. 102-103, related examples illustrated. Joe Engers, ed. "Jim Allen: A Champion for New Jersey Decoys," Decoy Magazine, May/June 2017, p. 9, drake illustrated. Robert Shaw, "Call to the Sky: The Decoy Collection of James M. McCleery, M.D.," Houston, TX, 1992, p. 60, McCleery's repainted example illustrated.

Provenance

William J. Mackey Jr. Collection Lawrence A. Carton Jr. Collection, acquired from the above, c. 1950 Peter Carton Collection, by descent from the above