Early Canada Goose
A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952)
East Harwich, MA, c. 1915
23 in. long
Aside from the three unique geese made for Harry V. Long, this early example shows the maker's very best goose decoy form. The grand body has a well-rounded breast which transitions very cleanly to the thin and curved neck. It is topped with exceptional head carving. The underside is marked with an early imprint of his oval brand. The rig initials "J.A.N." are also incised on the bottom.
Original paint with moderate gunning wear, two cracks in front of neck, crack along underside, and some touch-up mostly to white on front lower left and to worn area on right side.
Literature: Stephen B. O'Brien Jr. and Chelsie W. Olney, "Elmer Crowell: Father of American Bird Carving," Hingham, MA, 2019, p. 46, closely related early example illustrated.
Condition
Please email condition report requests to colin@copleyart.com. Any condition statement given is a courtesy to customers, Copley will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition.