Elmer Crowell Hudsonian Curlew

A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952) East Harwich, MA, c. 1930 An exceptional life-size mantel bird carving displaying a graceful turned-head posture with an arching bill, the finest imported glass eyes, and tail feather detail. The bird's paint, gently blended, is an accurate portrayal of a jack curlew, hudsonian curlew (historical names) or whimbrel (modern nomenclature), exhibiting intricate feather paint detail, even on the eyelids. Retains Crowell's rectangular stamp on the underside of the base along with written species identification.

One of three preening Crowell curlews with this form believed to exist. In 1982, a preening curlew with a rectangular stamp was illustrated and offered as the cover lot of the Richard A. Bourne Company's July auction catalog. A second preening curlew originally in the collection of Constance Crowell resides in an important New Jersey collection. This third example originaly resided in the important John S. duMont collection of Crowell mantle carvings. Outstanding original condition with a faint age line along the neck seam.

Provenance: John S. duMont Collection Private Collection, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Literature: Brian Cullity, "The Songless Aviary: The World of A.E. Crowell & Son," Sandwich, MA, 1992, p. 24, figure 25, similar bird illustrated. Richard A. Bourne Co. Inc., "Rare American Decoys and Bird Carvings," July, 13 and14, 1982, lot 529, front cover, similar example illustrated.

Provenance

John S. duMont Collection Private Collection, Cape Cod, Massachusetts