- GIOVANNI OLINA, UCCELLIERA [AVIARY],
GIOVANNI OLINA, UCCELLIERA [AVIARY], 1622 Giovanni Pietro Olina. Uccelliera overo discorso della natura, e proprieta di diversi uccelli e in particolare di que' che cantano, con il modo di prendergli, conoscergli, allevargli, e mantenergli. [Aviary or discourse of nature, and properties of different birds and in particular of those that sing, with the way of catching them, knowing them, raising them, and keeping them], with 55 copper plate engravings by Tempesta, and Villamena, vellum binding, 81 pages plus index, 9.5"h x 7"w
- AVIARY GARDEN DESIGN RUNNER: 2’6”
AVIARY GARDEN DESIGN RUNNER: 2’6” X 15’10” 21ST CENTURYAVIARY GARDEN DESIGN RUNNER: 2'6" X 15'10", 21st Century, Dark slate gray field contains a variety of exotic birds on delicate branches, rendered in shades of gold, gray, salmon red, bright ivory, khaki and onyx. Narrow dark salmon red border.
- An impressively large Thomas Webb (unsigned)
An impressively large Thomas Webb (unsigned) pastel opaque cased glass bowl, with floral and aviary designs and puffed shoulders, with a banded foot and lip. 10.5”H x 12”dia. Condition: overall very good CT Transfer Fee $20
- RARE BRANTA. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952)
East
RARE BRANTA. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952)
East Harwich, MA, c. 1915
19 in. long
A rare species for the maker with his early oval brand on the underside. The breast features Crowell's signature rasp finish and the dry surface exhibits his wet-on-wet blending. An early example in exceptional condition, this is one of the finest brant by the maker know to exist.
Excellent original paint with even gunning wear and a chip to tail has been darkened.
Provenance: Emerson and Isabelle Tuttle Collection, acquired c. 1925
Private Collection, by descent in the family
Private Collection
Literature: Stephen B. O’Brien Jr. and Chelsie W. Olney, "Elmer Crowell: Father of American Bird Carving," Hingham, MA, 2019, pp. 195 (underside) and 256, exact bird illustrated.
Brian Cullity, "The Songless Aviary: The World of A. E. Crowell & Son," Hyannis, MA, 1992.
- EXEMPLARY DOWITCHERA. Elmer Crowell
EXEMPLARY DOWITCHERA. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952)
East Harwich, MA, c. 1910
12 1/2 in. long
A rare and important working Crowell dowitcher decoy displaying glass eyes, richly painted detail, and split-tail carving with painted primaries. It is challenging to find early examples of this species by Crowell as he concentrated primarily on black-bellied plover and yellowlegs during the first quarter of the 20th century.
Acutely describing a similar shorebird carving in his book, "American Wildfowl Decoys," Jeff Waingrow writes, "Crowell's dowitcher decoy is a transitional carving, displaying the virility of his earlier work with a measure of new refinement found in the later examples. It possesses enough of the best qualities from each period, however to deserve a place among the finer examples of Crowell shorebirds."
Outstanding original paint with minor gunning wear, including a rub to the wing tip. Reset crack in original bill.
Literature: Copley Fine Art Auctions, "The Winter Sale 2013," New York, NY, January 21, 2013, lot 215, exact decoy illustrated.
Paul A. Johnsgard, "The Bird Decoy: An American Art Form," Lincoln, NE, 1976, p. 20 B, similar decoy illustrated.
Jeff Waingrow, "American Wildfowl Decoys," New York, NY, 1989, p. 97, similar example illustrated.
Brian Cullity, "The Songless Aviary: The World of A.E. Crowell & Son," Sandwich, MA, 1992, p. 49, pl. 1, similar bird illustrated.
Stephen B. O’Brien Jr. and Chelsie W. Olney, "Elmer Crowell: Father of American Bird Carving," Hingham, MA, 2019, p. 213, related dowitcher illustrated.
- RARE LESSER YELLOWLEGSA. Elmer Crowell
RARE LESSER YELLOWLEGSA. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952)
East Harwich, MA, c. 1910
9 1/2 in. long
Crowell author and historian Brian Cullity states, "The lesser yellowlegs was a relatively uncommon species to be used as a model for a decoy." On the pattern for this decoy, Crowell identifies the species as "summer yellow leg."
A closely related example with a replaced bill was exhibited in Dr. McCleery's "Call to the Sky" museum exhibition and accompanying book. It was also held back by the McCleery estate from the 2000 sale, along with four other of his best Crowell shorebirds.
Original paint with light gunning wear and a replaced bill.
Provenance: Private Collection, Cape Cod
Literature: Sotheby's, "Important American Folk Art, Furniture and Silver," New York, NY, May 2005, front cover and lot 104, McCleery example illustrated.
Brian Cullity, "The Songless Aviary: The World of A. E. Crowell & Son," Hyannis, MA, 1992, pp. 60 and 114, pl. 116, Crowell's pattern and related example illustrated.
Robert Shaw, "Call to the Sky: The Decoy Collection of James M. McCleery, M.D.," Houston, TX, 1992, pp. 14-15, McCleery example illustrated.
- THE DU MONT EARLY HANGING GREATER YELLOWLEGSA.
THE DU MONT EARLY HANGING GREATER YELLOWLEGSA. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952)
East Harwich, MA, c. 1915
16 3/4 in. long
“Seldom does one find special orders made by Crowell and when you do they tend to be the best. These were usually done for gunning friends. The [du Mont] hanging greater yellowlegs is a prime example of what lengths Crowell would go to for special customers. It is a life size bird with two applied wings and wonderful dry brushed paint and tack eyes. It was made to hang by the legs to simulate a recent bag from a hunt. It is a particularly early carving with tack eyes and the best ‘folky’ look one could ask for in a Crowell." — Brian Cullity, author and curator of “The Songless Aviary, The World of A.E. Crowell and Son” discussing this exact carving
“When I was shooting for market on shore birds, the yellowlegs (lesser and greater) were the most plentiful. I made many good bags, with a few Jack Curlews and other shore birds.” — A. Elmer Crowell, “Cape Cod Memories” in "Duck Shooting Along the Atlantic Tidewater"
Much of Elmer Crowell’s portfolio references his origins as a young market hunter, but few works do so as directly as this early and elaborate hanging game carving. Incredibly, the young hunter built his first gunning stand in 1876 in order to harvest birds for sale, shipping his quarry by rail to Boston’s famous Faneuil Hall marketplace.
This rare, if not unique, carving from the esteemed du Mont Collection is among the most nuanced carvings that Crowell ever attempted, with applied raised wings, a curved tail, and detailed wooden legs. Each wing received significant carving detail, with scalloped edges, delineated feather groups, and incised secondary feathers. As seen with his more common flying birds and wing-up preeners, the painter showcases his knowledge and ability on every inch of the expanded surfaces. The feather blending throughout is especially fine with the head and interiors of the wings exhibiting notable care.
This carving hails from the distinguished collection of John Sanderson du Mont, a third generation friend and patron of Crowell's. Du Mont's great aunt and uncle were Roland C. (1859–1906) and Addie D. Nickerson (1859–1955) and John's father was Horatio S. du Mont (1886–1970). In a 1987 article introduced by Alan Haid, the younger du Mont recalled, “My father, either at my request or when doing errands, would drop me at Crowell's where I would sit quietly and watch him carve and paint. He never objected.” He also recounts, "Recognizing Crowell's ability, my father assembled a collection of 21 shorebird and duck heads, some miniatures, and a series of life-size bird carvings. Mother's diary indicates that most of these were collected by 1917." This carving dates to that early period and may have come down to John from his father and shorebird hunting companion.
Regarding related works, there are few known to have survived in any condition. One later lesser yellowlegs is in the collection of the Shelburne Museum, and another is in private hands. One hanging bobwhite quail is in the Paul Tudor Jones II Collection and is illustrated in "Elmer Crowell: Father of American Bird Carving."
Excellent overall condition, original paint with light wear including craquelure to breast. Restoration to 2 1/2 inches of primary feathers of left wing tip, to right corner of tail, and toes of left leg. Right leg is reset.
Provenance: John S. du Mont Collection
Private Collection, Cape Cod
Literature: Stephen B. O’Brien Jr. and Chelsie W. Olney, "Elmer Crowell: Father of American Bird Carving," Hingham, MA, 2019, p. 42, hanging quail carving and related Harry V. Long journal entry illustrated.
A. E. Crowell and Eugene V. Connett, ed., "Duck Shooting Along the Atlantic Tidewater," “Cape Cod Memories,” New York, NY, 1947, pp. 56-57, early market hunting discussed by Crowell.
Northeast Auctions, "The John S. du Mont Collection," Portsmouth, NH, August 19, 2007, p. 13, Brian Cullity quote and lot 709, exact carving illustrated.
- 1810 NEEDLEWORK, JANE COOK. With friendship
1810 NEEDLEWORK, JANE COOK. With friendship verse over tree, candles, aviary, and other animals, with geometric border. Jane Cook, aged 12 1810 at bottom. Image 11”H x 9.25”W, in a Birdseye maple frame 15.25”H x 13.5”W. Sussman Collection.
- 1811 BIBLICAL VERSE NEEDLEWORK, ANNELIZA
1811 BIBLICAL VERSE NEEDLEWORK, ANNELIZA PIREARA. Ecclesiastes verse over scene with building, flora, aviary, and figures. Tan, red, black, and brown thread. 11.5”H x 11.5”W, in a period gilt frame 14”H x 14”W. Sussman Collection.
- 1840 ALPHANUMERIC SAMPLER, ELIZA C.
1840 ALPHANUMERIC SAMPLER, ELIZA C. COOK. Having several fonts over attribution inscription, with house, foliate, and aviary below, and a red, tan, and white border. Black, blue, tan, red, and green thread. Image 10.75”H x 14”W. Sussman Collection.
- 19TH C. NEEDLEWORK SAMPLER, TABITHA
19TH C. NEEDLEWORK SAMPLER, TABITHA IRELAND. Alphanumeric with large green border and hearts over central medallion inscription terminating in landscape of geometric shapes, canine, equine, and aviary. Green, blue, tan, black, and white thread. 16”H x 7.25”W, Frame 18”H x 9.25”W. Sussman Collection.
- 1821 BOOK RHYME SAMPLER, ANN KARR. Alphanumeric
1821 BOOK RHYME SAMPLER, ANN KARR. Alphanumeric sampler over Josiah Dubois’ 1790 book rhyme and Ann Karr inscription, with heavily stitched border of flora, aviary, canine, and naval themes. White, black, tan, and green thread. Image 17.25”H x 14.75”W, Frame 19.25”H x 17”W. Sussman Collection.