Special-Order Willet, Mason Decoy Factory (1896-1924)

Lot 238

About Seller

65 Sharp Street
Hingham, MA 02043
United States

Copley Fine Art Auctions is the world's leading American sporting art auction company. Located in Hingham, MA, Copley specializes in antique decoys and 19th- and 20th-century American, sporting, and wildlife paintings. Principal Stephen O'Brien Jr., a fourth-generation sportsman with a refined colle...Read more

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$25,000	$2,500
$50,000	$5,000

About Auction

The Sporting Sale 2018, Day 2 by Copley Fine Art Auctions

Live

The Sporting Sale 2018, Day 2

By Copley Fine Art Auctions

Jul 20, 2018

Set Reminder 2018-07-20 10:00:00 2018-07-20 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : The Sporting Sale 2018, Day 2 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/copley/the-sporting-sale-2018-day-2-3302 On July 19, Copley Fine Art Auctions will lead off their annual Sporting Sale with 140 lots from the Donal C. O’Brien, Jr. Collection of Important American Sporting Art and Decoys. On July 20 Copley will present an additional 425 lots of decoys, fish carvings, and sporting art. Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com

View Full Catalog (425)

Lot Description

Special-Order Willet
Mason Decoy Factory (1896-1924)
Detroit, MI, c. 1900
15 in. long

An extremely rare special-order decoy influenced by the work of Massachusetts shorebird carver Charles W. Thomas (b. 1875) of Assinnippi. Measuring fifteen inches in length, these grand carvings are almost as large as Mason curlew.

Only five of its type are known to exist. Of these, two have holes drilled through the sides for attachment to a fireplace mantle. Many consider this near mint example the best among the handful known to have survived.

Top flight collectors have long coveted these rare Masons, including William J. Mackey, Jr., William J. Butler, Jr., John Delph, John Lellos, and Dr. James M. McCeery.
Original paint with minimal gunning wear.

Provenance: Wallace Furman Collection
Gordon and Virginia Hayes Collection, acquired from the above, 1961
Mark Smith Collection, acquired 2002

Literature: Russ J. Goldberger and Alan G. Haid, "Mason Decoys: A Complete Pictorial Guide," Lewes, DE, 2014, p. 117, related example illustrated.
Hal Sorenson, Decoy Collector’s Guide, 1977, p. 39, related example illustrated.
Guyette and Schmidt, "North American Decoys At Auction," July 2002, front cover and lot 543, exact decoy illustrated.

Condition

Condition report requests can be made via email or by telephone (info@copleyart.com or 617.536.0030). Any condition statement given is a courtesy to customers, Copley will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition.
Shipping Info
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