Over-the-Shoulder Plover and More from Copley Fine Art Auctions

One of the decoys featured on the cover of the book New England Decoys by John and Shirley Delph is a plover in an unusual pose. The bird’s head is twisted, as if it is looking to the rear. Carver A. Elmer Crowell made the piece. The design is considered unique, though reminiscent of his well-known duck and goose decoys. The exact decoy used for the book cover will be available on the first day of The Sporting Sale 2021, offered by Copley Fine Art Auctions. Other carvings in the sale include a long-tailed drake decoy by Orlando “Os” Bibber, a ruffed grouse sculpture by Lemuel T. Ward, a pair of canvasbacks by Lemuel T. Ward and Stephen Ward, and more. 

Beyond decoys, there are several paintings, including The Quiet Peace of an African Evening by British artist David Shepherd. It depicts a herd of elephants enjoying a dirt bath. The artist dedicated his work to conservation and launched the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation. Other lots in the sale include a Delph Perdew crow call, several early black and white photographs by Frank W. Benson, and a handful of miniature bird carvings by Wendell Gilley. View any of these lots and register to bid on Bidsquare.