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THBThe Mackey-Carton Merganser Drake by Nathan Rowley Horner (1882-1942)
Lot 81
About Seller
Copley Fine Art Auctions
20 Winter Street
Pembroke, MA 02359
United States
Founded in 2005, Copley Fine Art Auctions is a boutique auction house specializing in antique decoys and American, sporting, and wildlife paintings. Over the course of the last two decades, the firm has set auction records for not only individual decoy makers, but also entire carving regions. Copley...Read more
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Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$20,000 - $30,000
Starting Bid
$10,000
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About Auction
Live
By Copley Fine Art Auctions
Jul 10, 2025
Set Reminder
2025-07-10 10:00:00
2025-07-10 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : The Sporting Sale 2025, Day 1
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/copley/the-sporting-sale-2025-day-1-19844
Lots 1-316 Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com
Lots 1-316 Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com
View Full Catalog (316)
- Lot Description
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 an 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.Please refer to the description; if you have additional questions, email colin@copleyart.com.Condition
- Shipping Info
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Copley does not offer in-house packing or shipping. For clients who require shipping, please complete the Shipping Release Form and return it with your payment. The form includes a list of shippers we frequently work with.
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