Swimming Merganser
A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952)
East Harwich, MA, c. 1925
19 1/2 in. long

A swimming red-breasted merganser with carved tail feathers and Crowell's oval brand on the bottom. Swimming decoy patterns by Crowell are rare with a few black ducks, teal, and these iconic merganser forms known.
In old working paint with heavy gunning wear, including rubs along sides and bill tip, and one missing eye.

Provenance: Randolph Payson Rig, Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, acquired from maker
Elizabeth Codman Payson Collection, by descent from the above
Private Collection, by descent from the above

Literature: Stephen B. O'Brien Jr. and Chelsie W. Olney, "Elmer Crowell: Father of American Bird Carving," Hingham, MA, 2019, p. 59, related pair illustrated.