Horace Crandall The Crandall Sleepy-eyed Mallard

Horace "Hi" Crandall (1892-1969) Westwood, CA, c. 1935 15 in. long

One of California's best decoy carvers, Crandall is also considered by some to be its best painter. Born in Rhode Island, the maker originally learned about duck hunting on the Atlantic Coast from his father, who was a market hunter. Crandall was an outdoorsman, a taxidermist, and a talented painter all at a young age.

After moving to California in 1917 in his mid-20s, he found himself in a position to hunt and fish from his own property. Additionally, he had easy access to excellent wood for decoy making. He built his first decoys using the redwood railroad ties that washed ashore near his home.

This rare, and perhaps unique, decoy was made early in Crandall's long carving career and slightly before he was selected to exhibit his carvings on Treasure Island at the World’s Fair in 1938.

The head is in a tucked, resting position and the eyes are carefully painted as thin "sleepy-eyed" ovals. The refined Crandall decoy features are highly articulated from head to tail. The pinched breast draws up to a sharp ridge behind the head before the body flares out to broad hips. The back is adorned with sharp raised wing tips and soft feather detail. The upswept tail is formed with a Crisfield-like chine which continues along the front edge of the underside as well. Exceptional in its totality, this fine Crandall carving distinguishes itself from other examples by the maker with its unique form, early carving style, royal provenance, and fine gunning patina. Original paint with light gunning wear. Head is slightly loose.

Provenance: Jim Keegan Collection Richard and Dorothy Wheeler Collection, acquired from the above

Literature: Michael R. Miller and Frederick W. Hanson, "Wildfowl Decoys of the Pacific Coast,” Portland, OR, 1989, p. 364, exact decoy illustrated. Michael R. Miller, "Wildfowl Decoys of California,” Spokane, WA, 2015, p. 580, exact carving illustrated. Robert Shaw, “Bird Decoys of North America,” New York, NY, 2010, p. 266, related "McCleery" teal illustrated.

Provenance

Jim Keegan Collection Richard and Dorothy Wheeler Collection, acquired from the above