Green-Winged Teal Hanging Pair
John S. du Mont (1919-2005)
Greenfield, MA, c. 1968
drake is 16 1/2 in. long, 18 in. wingspan

John du Mont was a lifelong sportsman, decoy collector, and a carver as well. He first met Elmer Crowell at his East Harwich studio when John was twelve years old. He spent summers in nearby East Brewster on Cape Cod. His father was Commissioner of Fisheries and Game in Massachusetts, so John had a lifelong association and affinity with the wildlife there. Fall weekends were spent duck hunting at Cliff Pond on his aunt's property, which was later to become Nickerson State Park when she donated it to the state.

This first meeting began a longtime friendship. John would often visit Mr. Crowell at his studio where he would sit quietly while he watched the master carve and paint his decoys and ornamental birds. Elmer patiently let him observe and gave him tips when John started carving himself. In 1941 John took his new wife, Mary, to meet Elmer while they were on their honeymoon. She, too, was intrigued by Mr. Crowell's carvings. Over the course of time, she began painting her husband's birds, influenced by Elmer's expertise. They continued their collaboration for the next forty years.

The backside of the drake bears two different stamps denoting the carver, John S. du Mont.
Original paint with light wear, including moderate flaking to drake's left wing.

Provenance: John S. du Mont Collection

Size
drake is 16 1/2 in. long, 18 in. wingspan

Condition
Original paint with light wear, including moderate flaking to drake's left wing.