Elmer Crowell Outstanding Woodcock

A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952) East Harwich, MA, c. 1920 8 1/2 in. tall

“During Elmer Crowell’s youth, the landscape of the Cape was experiencing a regrowth of its forests...In the late 1800s, as the human population on the Cape declined, timber was no longer in such high demand and trees began to repopulate the landscape. This pattern of land use was beneficial to bobwhite quail, woodcock, and ruffed grouse that thrive in the mixed vegetation of an early-stage regrowth forest. Today these species are not commonly associated with Cape Cod; however, they were fairly abundant in Crowell’s time.” — Chelsie Olney and Stephen B. O’Brien Jr., “Elmer Crowell: Father of American Bird Carving”

This masterwork represents not only one of the maker's best carvings of the species, but also one of his pinnacle forms and paint applications on any game bird. Of particular note are the upright stance, dropped wings with seven carved primary feathers, and the extra depth of feathering detail found from head to tail and top to bottom. Three related examples are known, including an exceptional carving made for George Abercrombie Spaulding of South Carolina in 1922, and two earlier models. One was made for Eugène E. du Pont and one was prominently featured in "Elmer Crowell: Father of American Bird Carving." These related examples offer a strong reference for this lot by showcasing Crowell's artistic development in carving detail, paint sophistication, and posture.

This early woodcock bears the maker's oval brand on the underside of its carved wooden base. The grand body is outfitted with a bill which displays precise incised carving along all sides of and between the mandibles. It is finished with a subtle, but deliberate curvature to the very tip of the bill. The species' complex plumage is masterfully applied with tight feathering with high contrast soft blending along the top, sides and bottom.

The Crowell du Mont Bobwhite Quail Pair offered in the previous lot hail from the same collection as this woodcock.

The form, intricate and accurate carving details, exquisite paint, superb condition, and distinguished provenance of this mantle carving make it an unsurpassed game bird by any carver from any era. Excellent original paint with light wear. Typical minimal flakes and minor cracks to leg putty and a few original glue beads at original construction seam in head. Light wear to bill tip edges.

Provenance: Private Collection, Greenwich, Connecticut

Literature: Stephen B. O'Brien Jr. and Chelsie W. Olney, "Elmer Crowell: Father of American Bird Carving," Hingham, MA, 2019, p. 16, early woodcock illustrated. Copley Fine Art Auctions, "The Sporting Sale 2007," Plymouth, MA, July 2007, lot 199, related Spaulding example illustrated.

Provenance

Private Collection, Greenwich, Connecticut