Elmer Crowell Preening Greater Yellowlegs

A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952) East Harwich, MA, c.1929 Magnificent preening greater yellowlegs, with a slightly open bill, cradling an inserted metal feather. The "ticking" on the inner primaries constitutes some of the most intricate paint treatment seen on any Crowell carving and closely relates to an important lesser yellowlegs sold by this firm in July, 2011 at our Sporting Sale. This grand wing-up mantel bird has carved tail feather detail and is mounted on a carved rock base. Signed by the maker on the bottom of the base "A. E. Crowell, Cape Cod," also impressed with his rectangular stamp.

This decoy was featured in the 2009 "A. Elmer Crowell: Master of Decoys & More" exhibit at the Mass Audubon Visual Arts Center in Canton, MA. This exhibit featured some of the finest Crowells known, including the Harry V. Long Collection. From this exhibit this bird was chosen to illustrate the exhibit's banner and the cover of the proposed book "A. Elmer Crowell: Master of Decoys." Excellent original paint with minimal touch-up to metal feather area and a few toes.

Provenance: Private Collection, California

Literature: Joseph H. Ellis, "Birds in Wood and Paint, American Miniature Bird Carvings and their Carvers, 1900-1970," Lebanon, NH, 2009, p. 55, Fig 5-4 and 5-5, similar bird illustrated. Brian Cullity, "The Songless Aviary," Hyannis, MA, 1992, p. 78, plate 35, similar bird illustrated.

Provenance

Private Collection, California