Wood and metal model of the Ketch "La Curieuse", ship of the Kerguelen Islands expedition of 1912-1914. Finely made at the beginning of the 20th century, the sheets, shrouds, halyards and ends are made of thin twine in imitation of rope, the main and mizzen mast sails are rolled, the keel, bowsprit, rudder and stern are covered with riveted copper strips. The elements of fittings and the armament are out of metal, iron, brass or out of wood. Total length 120 cm, height : 118 cm. Model in good condition presented on a base, some elements of the rigging are detached and need to be reattached, the bowsprit is broken and missing. ABE This ketch was ordered to the Léon Lefèvre workshops by Raymond Rallier du Baty for an expedition to Kerguelen. In 1912, he left Cherbourg for the Kerguelen Islands, the expedition to be completed in 1918. She arrived on October 22, 1913 for a 7-month exploration stay. After having once again explored and mapped the archipelago more precisely, the expedition left the Kerguelen Islands on May 10, 1914, heading for Australia. The voyage was interrupted by the declaration of war. Indeed, Rallier de Baty, learning that France was at war, decided to return to defend the country. La Curieuse was abandoned in the channel of TAUNOA and looted in October 1938. In 1941 the hull was completely demolished.