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AEDEarly Redhead Hen by A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952)
About Seller
20 Winter Street
Pembroke, MA 02359
United States
Founded in 2005, Copley Fine Art Auctions is a boutique auction house specializing in antique decoys and American, sporting, and wildlife paintings. Over the course of the last two decades, the firm has set auction records for not only individual decoy makers, but also entire carving regions. Copley...Read more
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About Auction
LiveFeb 21, 2026
Lots 301-368 Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com
View Full Catalog (337)
- Lot Description
Early Redhead Hen
A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952)
East Harwich, MA, c. 1910
15 in. long
An early pre-brand redhead hen with all of the features found in Crowell's best early waterfowl decoys. The full body has crossed raised primaries, incised tail carving, a turned head finished with rasped detail, and the maker's wet-on-wet blended paint.
Crowell redheads are not common, making this raised-wing hen is a rare find. Indeed, no related hens are illustrated in either of the publications dedicated to the maker. This decoy is likely from the rig of early Crowell patron F. Prescott Fay, a Martha's Vineyard hunter who was also known to have decoratives by the maker. Related examples are believed to be held by two Massachusetts institutions.
Original paint with gunning wear. Touch-up to neck seam and to one small spot between wing tips and tail.
Provenance: Private Collection, Massachusetts
Private Collection
Literature: Stephen B. O'Brien Jr. and Chelsie W. Olney, "Elmer Crowell: Father of American Bird Carving," Hingham, MA, 2019, pp. 68 and 70, related smooth-wing pair and carved-wing drake illustrated. George Ross Starr Jr. M.D., "Decoys of the Atlantic Flyway," New York, NY, 1974, color plate 19, related pair with heavy wear illustrated, p. 157, Fay rig discussed. Brian Cullity, "The Songless Aviary: The World of A. E. Crowell & Son," Hyannis, MA, 1992, p. 65, related drake and oversize pair illustrated. John and Shirley Delph, "New England Decoys," Exton, PA, 1981, p. 123, rigmate illustrated.Condition
Please refer to the description; if you have additional questions, email colin@copleyart.com.
- Shipping Info
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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.
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