Elmer Crowell Nineteen Miniature Waterfowl Carvings

A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952) East Harwich, MA, c. 1920 This grouping offers a rare opportunity to acquire a large group of early matched Crowell miniatures from an important New England collection. The ducks bear the maker's early, blue paper label on the bottom, with the label's center band identifying each species in script.

This important group was originally purchased by Edward J. Mitton, one of the founders of the Jordan Marsh and Company department store in Boston, Massachusetts.

The set includes a Canada goose, brant, canvasback drake, black duck, blue-winged teal drake, blue-winged teal hen, green-winged teal hen, mallard hen, American merganser drake, redhead hen, bufflehead drake, hooded merganser drake, bluebill drake, widgeon drake, bluebill hen, old squaw drake, eider drake, goldeneye hen, and a goldeneye drake. Fourteen of the miniatures are in original condition with minimal wear from handling. The green-wing teal and goldeneye hens have chips to their bills. The eider has a tail chip. The Canada goose and hooded merganser have reset heads. The blue-winged teal has lost its label. Overall the collection is in very good condition with each bird displaying bright colors, fine blended feathering and pleasing patina.

Provenance: Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Mitton Collection Private Collection, by descent in the family

Literature: Brian Cullity, "The Songless Aviary: The World of A.E. Crowell & Son," Sandwich, MA, 1992, p. 52, plate X, similar birds illustrated.

Provenance

Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Mitton Collection Private Collection, by descent in the family