Guyette & Deeter Auction Featured Bird Beauties

Elmer Crowell (1862-1952) of East Harwich, Massachusetts, was one of the greatest decoy makers and bird carvers of all time. The lifelike quality of his three-dimensional portrayals of American wildfowl is unsurpassed. Crowell acquired his understanding of bird anatomy and plumage patterns during a lifetime of observing and hunting Cape Cod’s abundant indigenous and migratory bird populations.

As a master carver, Crowell’s work is in great demand. Recently, this wonderful preening black duck (c. 1905), featuring chip- and relief-carving on its crossed wings, sold for $480,000 at Guyette & Deeter. Crowell’s magnificent top lot helped the two-day auction realize $6.4 million last April, the highest auction total for a decoy sale since 2000.

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