Frank Finney Waterfowling Santa Claus

Frank S. Finney (b. 1947) Capeville, VA, 1983 28 in. tall

This carving depicts legendary 20th-century decoy collector and dealer Bud Ward as Santa Claus laden with treasures.

The smiling figure holds out a Ward Brothers 1936 blue-winged teal hen, and is wearing five duck calls. His pockets contain a bottle of spirits and a box of Winchester shotgun shells. The sack on the back shows portions of a signed Ward 1936 pintail drake, a Cobb hissing goose, and a Caines snakey-neck mallard hen, as well as what appears to be a Browning A-5 shotgun.

The entire surface is finished with a lightly antiqued finish. The grain-painted base wishes a painted "Seasons Greetings." An applied wooden placard reads, "Bud Ward as Santa" and the maker's "Frank Finney" incised signature. The underside is also signed and dated. Excellent original paint with some wear. Teal has a reset bill and has been reset to hand.