Early Madison Mitchell Bufflehead Drake & Hen
An early pair of'working' Bufflehead decoys carved by Madison Mitchell of Havre de Grace, MD, this drake and hen exhibit the extraordinary talent of this master carver whose'brush-work' was unequaled. My uncle was an avid hunter who especially loved goose and duck hunting, and he spent a week each year'shooting' the Susquehanna Flats. An antiques dealer who specialized in'Americana, Primitives and Folk Art' who soon came to know and love the look and feel of Mitchell's decoys, but even more so the exacting colors and feather patterns that he applied to each bird, making them irresistible to'fliers' looking to join the'floaters.
I was so thrilled when I got my first pair of Mitchells (and quite a few more), but meeting Madison Mitchell, and getting to know him personally, made his decoys even more meaningful - beyond the beauty, there is'soul'! This Bufflehead Drake, produced in 1960, has a turned head.
The Hen was a 1954 product. Decoys are in excellent overall condition, except (1) where the head is attached on the drake there is a crack (drying) but the head is very tight; also, (2) there is minor checking on one side of the hen where there appears to be a knot (below white wing patch). They are still perfect floaters - see last photo! Please message me if you have any questions. I've also listed Goldeneyes and Blue Wing Teals..... The item "Early Madison Mitchell Bufflehead Drake & Hen" is in sale since Saturday, January 20, 2018. This item is in the category "Antiques\Decorative Arts\Woodenware\Carved Figures". The seller is "fay7977" and is located in Richmond, Virginia. This item can be shipped to United States.- Color: Mixed
- Style: Americana, Primitive
- Original/Reproduction: Original
- Age: Post-1940
- Primary Material: Wood
- Country/Region of Origin: USA, Maryland, Susquehanna Flats
- Maker: R.