Elmer Crowell Life-size Flying Tern

A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952) East Harwich, MA, c. 1925 18 1/2 in. wide, 11 1/4 in. long

An extremely rare, flying tern carving. This curvaceous early work renders the aerial beauty of the species to perfection. It was Crowell's interpretive ability to capture the likeness of birds and waterfowl that defined him as the father of American bird carving.

The anatomy of the bird is nearly flawless with a sharp "V" split tail, accurately carved inset feet and bill, and strong blended feather paint.

In "A Sportsman's Scrapbook" Dr. John C. Phillips talks about Crowell's creations, "Elmer used to decorate Wenham Camp with all sorts of mythical looking birds, whittled out and suspended from the ceiling so that they revolved solemnly around if you blew a puff of smoke their way." Original paint with minimal wear, touch-up to reset tail feathers, feet and inside back corner of left wing.

Provenance: Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Collection

Literature: Dr. John C. Phillips, "A Sportman's Scrapbook," Boston, MA, 1928, p. 33.

Provenance

Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Collection