Elmer Crowell Rare Standing Mallard

A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952) East Harwich, MA, c. 1930 12 1/2 in. tall, 20 in. long

Crowell's life-size standing waterfowl are difficult to find, with the mallard among the rarest. This example displays an inquisitive pose with a long reaching neck and finely carved bill. Revisiting a construction technique of his earliest masterworks, the raised-and-split wing tips were crafted from a wooden insert. The tail has deeply incised feather carving. This large drake is finished with Crowell’s exceptional feather painting details.

Crowell is known to have used a related standing mallard on a trade-sign post outside of his East Harwich workshop. Even today a reproduction of his standing mallard adorns the sign post outside of the restored Crowell shop, now located at Brooks Academy in Harwich. This lot likely spent a short time on the trade-sign post as well. It has an extra set of leg holes that were filled and painted over by Crowell before he applied the base. Given the good condition and Crowell’s modification, it is possible that this carving was purchased directly off the post. The wooden base features both carved natural wood and some painting. The base’s underside is signed with his rectangular stamp. Original paint with even wear, including a rub to small spot in center of back and a few small flakes by the right speculum. Check in underside and first leg holes touched-up by Crowell.

Provenance: Private Collection, Cape Cod

Literature: Guyette and Schmidt, "North American Decoys at Auction, July 26 & 27, 2001," Easton, MD, back cover and p. 141, lot 736, exact decoy illustrated twice. Stephen B. O'Brien Jr. and Chelsie W. Olney, "Elmer Crowell: Father of American Bird Carving," Hingham, MA, 2019, p. 35, Evans Collection mallard drake illustrated.

Provenance

Private Collection, Cape Cod