Cape Cod native Elmer Crowell is widely considered the most influential bird carver in the United States. The lifelong hunter modeled his creations either on “live” specimens or on “flats'' or study skins borrowed from Boston’s old Museum of Natural History. He excelled at both carving, as seen in the crossed wingtips and tail feathers of this Redhead Hen, and remarkably life-like painted feather decoration. Crowell even incorporated the grain of the wood into his designs, adding to the realistic effect. Although many of his later birds were made as decoration, most of his early creations, including this example, were used as working decoys, meant to float in water and attract live birds for sport hunters. Early collectors of folk art appreciated Crowell’s birds for their sculptural and artistic qualities.

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