Decoy: Scaup Hen
A. Elmer Crowell
(American, 1862–1952)
early 20th century
Object PlaceEast Harwich, Massachusetts, United States
Medium/TechniquePainted wood
Dimensions13.97 x 33.34 cm (5 1/2 x 13 1/8 in.)
Credit LineGift of Maxim Karolik
Accession number60.496
On View
On viewClassificationsSculpture
Collections
Cape Cod native Elmer Crowell is widely considered the most influential bird carver in the United States. The lifelong hunter modeled his creations either on “live” specimens or on “flats'' or study skins borrowed from Boston’s old Museum of Natural History. He excelled at both carving and remarkably life-like painted feather decoration, evident here on his Scaup Hen decoy. Crowell even incorporated the grain of the wood into his designs, adding to the realistic effect. Although many of his later birds were made as decoration, most of his early creations, including this example, were used as working decoys, meant to float in water and attract live birds for sport hunters. Early collectors of folk art appreciated Crowell’s birds for their sculptural and artistic qualities.
Provenance1953, December, Dr. George Ross Starr brought five duck decoys by A. Elmer Crowell to the MFA for review by Curator Henry Rossiter and collector Maxim Karolik; all five, including this one, were subsequently purchased by Karolik; 1960, given by Karolik to the MFA (Accession date: April 14, 1960).
about 1876
1850–1900
1875–1900
1890–1920