Ira Hudson Outstanding Pintail Drake

Ira Hudson (1873-1949) Chincoteague, VA, c. 1940 18 1/2 in. long

Ira Hudson was born in Maryland and grew up in Delaware. Later he and his wife Eva moved to the island of Chincoteague in Virginia to raise their nine children. A multi-talented craftsman, Hudson designed and built his own home on Chincoteague. He also designed and built boats, including many flat-bottomed scows used for hunting and oyster farming. In 1897, at age twenty-six, Hudson added decoy carving to the several other occupations he would pursue over the years; the 1900 and 1910 census records list Hudson as a “waterman” and “oysterman.” In order to support his family, Hudson also built chicken coops, gunstocks, and even clothespins when there was a demand for these items during World War II.

Hudson enlisted the help of his family to fill his numerous carving orders. All nine children learned under his wing and contributed in some capacity to his carving. Several of his offspring became talented makers in their own right. Most notably, Hudson’s sons Norman and Delbert went on to design, carve, and sell their own decoys.

This grand decoy is among the Hudson’s best pintail carvings. The high head is tilted down, turned to the right, has full cheeks, eye grooves, and carved bill detail. The surface is finished with Delbert Hudson’s lively scratch feather paint. This well-preserved example was never rigged. Excellent original paint with even wear, touch-up to reset neck, repair to end of bill with some touch-up, and the underside has two cracks.

Provenance: Private Collection, Maryland

Literature: Henry H. Stansbury, "Ira D. Hudson and Family," Lewes, DE, 2002, p. 126, related drake illustrated.

Provenance

Private Collection, Maryland