Miniature Redhead Double Mount
A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952)
Cleon Crowell (1892-1961)
East Harwich, MA, c. 1930-35
Base is 4.25" wide, from bottom of base to the top of the drakes head is 3.5"
 
Fresh to market pair.  Consigned from the decedents of the original purchasers direct from Crowell's shop.
 
As the consistent demand for decoratives arose and decoy work faded away, the Crowell's found themselves in the middle of the boom for miniature bird art in New England.  A market that would come to support the careers of over a dozen North Eastern miniaturists behind them... and still does today.  Their double mount style of which most were likely made after the introduction of the rectangular stamp, was never produced in near the numbers of single miniatures.  Equally, they were not commonly made in the variety of species seen in single mounts.  Mostly they were made as mallards making other species in good condition quite collectable.
 
The redhead double pair is no exception with bright, entirely original, and bone dry surfaces.  Just they way you want to find them.  Crowell's double mounts regularly suffered from excessive craquelure and heavy paint loss.  The wide scenes went nicely on mantles and deep window sils exposing them to heat which took its toll on the paint.  Most were entirely destroyed from their treatment.  The condition of the base in this scene is in rather nice condition compared to most double mounts.
 
Condition: Original with minimal paint flaking mostly to front right of the scene with light craquelure throughout.  Pin head size dot of thin clear wax on center of the hens back.  Very tiny indentation on drakes non-displaying right shoulder.
 
Provenance:
Private family collection acquired directly from Crowell