Elmer Crowell Life-size Standing Green-winged Teal

A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952) East Harwich, MA, c. 1912 An early and important green-winged teal by the father of modern bird carving. This turned head, open billed teal is being offered for sale through our firm, by the direct descendants of the original purchaser. This offering represents an exceedingly rare opportunity for the collector of Crowell carvings to acquire one of the maker’s masterworks. While several of Crowell’s life-size standing decoratives have incised tail and raised wing carving, the design of this teal with its crossed raised wing tips, turned head, open bill, subtle tongue carving, and exquisitely painted “ferns on rock” carved base, elevate this work to a level unto its own.

A look at the provenance of this work reveals the reason for Crowell’s exquisite execution. It was created as part of a series of supremely detailed carvings made for the Long family of Boston, MA. This particular bird was commissioned by the son-in-law of Harry V. Long sometime after 1910 and like other iconic Long commissions, is the only one of its kind known to exist.

Measuring just under thirteen and one-half inches in length and four inches wide, this plump and animated bird showcases Crowell’s remarkable ability to capture birds in motion. The lifelike carved sculpture shows tour-de-force paint, starting with Crowell’s intricate vermiculation as seen on his famous preening pintail. Crowell created a base coat then worked his inventive “wet on wet” feather paint atop the vermiculation. He achieved this by gently feathering a dry brush without any paint across the tacky darker colored feather portions into the tan edges to create a blurred or blended look. Crowell then used thicker paint atop the darker feathers using the brush bristles to create texture and depth. Not content, he then went back strategically and applied small amounts of vermiculation above the speculum to give the appearance of translucency. Completing the bird, Crowell finished the body paint with his quick ‘ocean wave’ paint along the sides and lower flanks. The carved undulating base is as extraordinary as it is rare. As demand for his carvings increased, the maker opted for the smooth rounded “stone” and “clam shell” bases that were far easier to carve. On this work Crowell has overlayed a faux “fern” pattern that shows the painter at the height of his ability. This singular carving has never been offered for sale and stands as one of the greatest decorative waterfowl carvings ever to come to market. Outstanding original paint, hairline rubs to base and tail, professional touch-up to webbing and gesso on right foot, and traces to left foot, small one inch area of minor touch-up to flaking on breast and hairline neck seam.

Provenance: Commissioned by the son-in-law of Harry V. Long of Boston, MA, acquired directly from the maker. Private Collection by descent in the family.

Provenance

Commissioned by the son-in-law of Harry V. Long of Boston, MA, acquired directly from the maker. Private Collection by descent in the family.