Early Tern by A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952)

Lot 22

About Seller

65 Sharp Street
Hingham, MA 02043
United States

Copley Fine Art Auctions is the world's leading American sporting art auction company. Located in Hingham, MA, Copley specializes in antique decoys and 19th- and 20th-century American, sporting, and wildlife paintings. Principal Stephen O'Brien Jr., a fourth-generation sportsman with a refined colle...Read more

Bid Increments

Price	Bid Increment
$0	$50
$1,000	$100
$2,500	$250
$5,000	$500
$10,000	$1,000
$25,000	$2,500
$50,000	$5,000

About Auction

The Winter Sale 2023, Day 1 by Copley Fine Art Auctions

Live

The Winter Sale 2023, Day 1

By Copley Fine Art Auctions

Feb 24, 2023

Set Reminder 2023-02-24 10:00:00 2023-02-24 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : The Winter Sale 2023, Day 1 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/copley/the-winter-sale-2023-day-1-11939 Lots 1-337 Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com

View Full Catalog (337)

Lot Description

Early Tern
A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952)
East Harwich, MA, c. 1915
12 1/4 in. long

An early and rare carving of a life-size tern accurately capturing the attitude of these elegant hunters. The full body is adorned with the painter's best "wet-on-wet"dry brushed plumage. Subtle details include the crossed primary feathers being separated by an incised line and the long forked tail below showing a gently undulating line on the inside. The bird is perched on a base made to resemble a smoothed rock which has an early crisp oval brand, consistent with the quality of the work.

This early work stands out among the maker's standing terns. Indeed, it caught the eye of the early and influential Americana authority Nina Fletcher Little (1903-1993), who acquired it for her own collection. From there it was retained by her son in his collection.

While terns were never considered a delicacy, they were shot in great numbers because their beautiful feathers fetched high prices due to the robust millinery trade. The 1897 passage of a Massachusetts law prohibiting the sale of plumes was a monumental first step in the conservation of avian species in America.
Excellent original paint with light wear, very minor touch-up to small crack in tip of wing on right side, 2/3 bill replacement.

Provenance: Nina Fletcher Little Collection
Warren M. Little Collection, by descent from the above
Private Collection, acquired from the estate of the above

Literature: Stephen B. O'Brien Jr. and Chelsie W. Olney, "Elmer Crowell: Father of American Bird Carving," Hingham, MA, 2019, p. 199, related 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.
Shipping Info
- Shipping info
  
  Copley does not offer in-house packing or shipping. For clients who require shipping, please complete the Shipping Release Form and return it with your payment. The form includes a list of shippers we frequently work with.