Important Miniature Curlew, A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952)

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The Winter Sale 2019

By Copley Fine Art Auctions

Feb 16, 2019

Set Reminder 2019-02-16 10:00:00 2019-02-16 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : The Winter Sale 2019 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/copley/the-winter-sale-2019-3820
The sale will offer the opportunity to view and take home world-class paintings and fine bird carvings. Featuring selections from the collections of Alfred Ely, L. H. LaMonte, Grant Nelson, Ronald S. Swanson, Herb Wetanson, and a descendant of Chester F. Spear among others. Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com

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• Lot Description
  Important Miniature Curlew
  A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952)
  East Harwich, MA, c. 1900
  3 1/2 in. long
  
  One of Crowell’s earliest and finest miniature shorebird carvings. The thin mottle-painted base, the style of painted feather application on the bird, and the dropped wing carving date this bird right at the turn of the twentieth century. Very few of the maker’s earliest shorebird miniatures have ever surfaced outside of those made for Dr. John C. Phillips and those collected by William V. Tripp, and two groups owned by a private Maryland Collector. Further attesting to collectors’ proclivity for this miniature species, the only Crowell miniature in the entire McCleery auction was a “Jack Curlew.”
  
  The underside of the base is marked with the maker’s round ink stamp and retains a small paper label on which “Jack Curlew” is written in Crowell’s hand. Hudsonian curlews were referred to as “jack curlews” by nineteenth-century gunners. Original paint with minor wear.
  
  Literature: Stephen B. O'Brien, Jr. and Chelsie W. Olney, "Elmer Crowell: Father of American Bird Carving," Hingham, MA, 2019, exact bird illustrated.
  Sotheby's and Guyette and Schmidt, "American Waterfowl Decoys: The Distinguished Collection of Dr. James M. McCleery," New York, NY, 2000, p. 224, lot 626, related example illustrated.

  Condition

  Condition report requests can be made via email or by telephone (info@copleyart.com or 617.536.0030). 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

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