Elmer Crowell Redhead Drake

A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952) East Harwich, MA, c. 1910 This early redhead is an exceptional and bold decoy carving displaying raised and crossed primary feathers, tail carving, glass eyes, expertly blended paint, and carved bill detail. This important decoy measures over seven inches in width and is nearly sixteen inches long, it features deep rasp carving and a slightly uplifted head, accurately capturing the likeness of species. This fine example is an early pre-brand decoy; the bottom has a pencil-written species identification and a price of twenty-four dollars.

In the early 1900s, Joseph F. Sherer hunted with A. Elmer Crowell and George Flynn, the largest landowner on Martha’s Vineyard at the time. This redhead is from the same collection as the, then record setting, Crowell decorative running curlew sold by this firm as lot 198 in The Sporting Sale 2007. In exquisite original paint with minor wear and a tight age crack along the bottom.

Provenance: Joseph F. Sherer Collection, acquired directly from the artist Private Collection, by descent in the family to the current owner

Literature: Shirley and John Delph, "New England Decoys," Exton, PA, 1990, p. 114, similar example illustrated. Brian Cullity, "The Songless Aviary: The World of A.E. Crowell & Son," Sandwich, MA, 1992, p. 65, figure 13, similar decoy illustrated. Robert Shaw, "Bird Decoys of North America," New York, NY, 2010, p. 160, similar decoy illustrated.

Provenance

Joseph F. Sherer Collection, acquired directly from the artist Private Collection, by descent in the family to the current owner