ELMER CROWELL (1862-1952), EAST HARWICH, MASSACHUSETTS, SECOND QUARTER 20TH CENTURY

With subtle carving to delineate the tail and primary feathers, this duck is a very fine example of Crowell's early style. For related examples, see Paul A. Johnsgard, ed., The Bird Decoy, An American Art Form (Lincoln, Nebraska, 1976), p. 43. fig. 31, Shirley and John Delph, New England Decoys (Exton, Pennsylvania, 1981), p. 114; Gene and Linda Kangas, Decoys, a North American Survey (Spanish Fork, Utah, 1983), p. 90, pl. 148; and The Heritage Museum at Sandwich, The Songless Aviary, The World of A.E. Crowell & Son (Sandwich, Massachusetts, 1992), p. 62, no. 9.