Hiram Hy Hotze Early Mallard Pair

Hiram "Hy" Hotze (1886-1977) Peoria, IL, c. 1930 16 1/4 in. long

This hollow Illinois River mallard pair displays all of the aspects of the maker’s masterful craftsmanship. These angular birds have wing tips that draw back to a sharp point before dropping abruptly into the tail. As is seen with their stippled paint, especially in the two-tone stippling on the hen, the maker’s most elaborate detailing is found on his mallard decoys. The hen is in original paint with minor touch-up to a shot scar in bill. The drake has some working repaint and restoration to tail.

Literature: Stephen O'Brien and Julie Carlson, "Masterworks of the Illinois River," Boston, MA, 2005, p. 114, similar decoys illustrated. Alan Haid, "Decoys of the Mississippi Flyway," Exton, PA, 1981, p. 172, similar bird illustrated.