A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952)
East Harwich, MA c.1928
Duck 10.25" long | Scene 7.5" tall

Well-sculpted Black Duck in essentially pristine condition. Carved in a natural walking posture, with the left foot advanced and the body subtly canted to the left as the head turns inquisitively to the right, creating a remarkably lifelike presentation. The carving retains appealing mellow paint with softly layered feathering throughout, highlighted by deep blue speculums, delicately painted head detail, and subtle rasping to the back of the head. The bill is carefully carved with defined nostrils and a carved thumbnail. Raised wing edge over a carved feather tail, chip carving beneath the tail feathers, and well-carved feet mounted on a sloping, carved base. Original thin shellack from Crowell was applied before it left the shop. Rectangular makers stamp in the underside of the base.

The black duck held a special place in the work of A. Elmer Crowell. A lifelong hunter of Cape Cod, Crowell began carving a rig of black ducks for his own use at just fourteen years old, developing an intimate understanding of the bird long before he established his professional carving shop. The species remained a recurring subject throughout his career and became one of his most requested decoys. Crowell's exceptional ability as both a carver and painter allowed him to capture the black duck's subtle variations in posture, feather pattern, and coloration with remarkable naturalism. His finest black ducks demonstrate the qualities for which Crowell is celebrated: lifelike form, sophisticated paint work, and an understanding of the bird gained through years of observing it in the marsh.

Condition: Excellent and original with a tiny spot of touch up to small paint flake on upper right leg. Very tiny pinhead size piece of original putty reglued at ankle. Thin paint loss to edge of tail with a tiny flake missing near rear right rump.

Provenance:
Private New York Collection
Private Massachusetts Collection
Steve & Lin Brown Collection (Guyette & Schmidt, November 8, 2007, lot 474)