Antique Mason tack-eye Blue Wing Teal drake duck decoy. Early. Ex-Chicago Museum

Description

This is an early Mason tack eye Teal Drake duck decoy. It is dark probably due to an old coat of varnish. The white mask on the face of the teal can be seen under to varnish as well as the colored speculums. Condition is as seen in the photos with a small tail chip and neck chipping. Neck putty is completely gone.  According to the old note affixed to the bottom, this decoy was once in the Chicago Natural history Museum. I think that this is a very early Mason based on body shape and since the body and eye placement is not totally symmetrical. Experts would know better than me. See photos for condition.