Elmer Crowell Golden Plover Decoy

A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952) East Harwich, MA, c. 1910 9 3/4 in. long

An early working Crowell shorebird decoy in an alert upright posture displaying fine painted detail, glass eyes, and split-tail carving with painted primaries. It is difficult to find early examples of this species by Crowell as he concentrated primarily on black-bellied plover and yellowlegs during the first quarter of the 20th century.

This decoy, paired with the decorative golden plover in the same plumage from the Chace collection (lot 29), represent two very distinct styles from Crowell’s best period. Strong original paint with even gunning wear, some minimal darkening to craquelure, mostly to end grain on breast. Plugged and redrilled stick hole.

Provenance: Evelyn Thayer Chace Collection Private Collection, by descent from the above

Literature: Shirley and John Delph, "New England Decoys," Exton, PA, 1990, p. 143, related plover illustrated. Stephen B. O'Brien Jr. and Chelsie W. Olney, "Elmer Crowell: Father of American Bird Carving," Hingham, MA, 2019, pp. 218, 219, black-bellied plover illustrated.

Provenance

Evelyn Thayer Chace Collection Private Collection, by descent from the above