Elmer Crowell Swimming Merganser

A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952) East Harwich, MA, c. 1925 19 1/2 in. long

A swimming red-breasted merganser with carved tail feathers and Crowell's oval brand on the bottom. Swimming decoy patterns by Crowell are rare with a few black ducks, teal, and these iconic merganser forms known. In old working paint with heavy gunning wear, including rubs along sides and bill tip, and one missing eye.

Provenance: Randolph Payson Rig, Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, acquired from maker Elizabeth Codman Payson Collection, by descent from the above Private Collection, by descent from the above

Literature: Stephen B. O'Brien Jr. and Chelsie W. Olney, "Elmer Crowell: Father of American Bird Carving," Hingham, MA, 2019, p. 59, related pair illustrated.

Provenance

Randolph Payson Rig, Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, acquired from maker Elizabeth Codman Payson Collection, by descent from the above Private Collection, by descent from the above