Joël and Jan MARTEL - Javanese Duck - Exceptional direct size on wood, 1917.
Joel and Jan MARTEL
'Javanese Duck' (1917) also known as Mandarin Duck or Japanese Duck.
Very rare direct carving on exotic wood.
Signed 'J.J. MARTEL' and numbered '1/1' on the base.
France, Art Deco period, 1917. Very good condition.
Dimensions: Height 22 cm x Width 14 cm x Depth 10 cm.
Research Notes:
This beautiful mandarin duck carved in direct relief from an exotic wood seems to be a unique piece. At least, that is what its numbering 1/1 seems to indicate. The geometrization of volumes characteristic of the Art Deco style is combined with a still very naturalistic treatment of the surfaces – particularly with the detail of the feathers – which evokes a work very early in the careers of the sculptors.
In the spring of 1917, there is talk of Joël's "boulot" on his "Javanou" or "Javanais" of which he takes a photograph on March 30, a photograph he sends (we don't know to whom) on April 11. Joël tells his twin that he "takes it for a walk in the workshop" - then located at 3 rue de la Néva - and that he is very proud of it: "it is very well made."
In another letter from Joël to Jan dated May 30, 1917, he writes: "Mémé... you knew that she asked me for my Javanou the day before yesterday... she put it in the living room... in very nice wood... I am really very happy with the duck. I would like you to see it...".(1)
The mentioned collector, Mémé, turns out to be Marie Anne Henriette Gorecki, known as Mémé Aublé Gorecka (1851-1922), a descendant of a Polish senior officer who came to France probably following the uprisings of 1830. Wife of a certain Charles Aublé (1826-1884), several of her relatives worked in medicine, including Ladislas Xavier Gorecki (1846-1904), a prominent ophthalmologist, and probably his brother.
The Martel brothers signed their works together from the very beginning, realizing that they strangely resembled each other… even though only one of the two brothers had worked on the piece. Our work, although executed solely by Joël in 1917, since he was reformed for coxalgia while Jan was mobilized from 1915 until the end of 1919, bears the initials of both brothers.
"Four hands at work; one thought in two brains. One should only speak of Jan and Joël Martel in the singular. These two men make one artist, and one of the best organized of our time" Paul Fierens, 1936.
(1) Private fund, origin: a branch of the Martel family.
This Javanese duck, which we understand from this precious letter dated May 30, 1917, was probably acquired by Madame Aublé as soon as it was completed, will be the subject of a ceramic edition by André Fau & Marcel Guillard in 1924.
In order to adapt the model for mass production and to the Art Deco style of the 1920's, the sculptors simplified the design and emphasized the geometry of the model. This edition in slightly crackled ceramic, glazed in white, black, and water green, was described by journalists of the time as "Japanese duck" (Lahalle and Henriot in the issues of Mobilier et Décoration from August-September 1924 and September 1925). It is possible that this is a misinterpretation of "Javanese duck." This ceramic was notably presented at the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris at the Fau & Guillard stand in the Grand Palais.
- International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris 1925. The variant of this model in glazed ceramic in white, black, and water green was exhibited at the Grand Palais at the stand of the publisher Fau and Guillard.
- Joël and Jan Martel sculptors, Saint-Jean-de-Monts & La Roche-sur-Yon, summer 1976 to spring 1977. The ceramic variant published by Fau and Guillard, described in detail but titled "pigeon" (no. 2 p. 37 of the catalog, not reproduced) was exhibited during this event.
- Joël and Jan Martel sculptors 1896-1966, Hôtel du département de la Vendée, April-August 1996. The ceramic variant published by Fau and Guillard, described in detail, titled "mandarin duck" (no. 33 p. 93 of the catalog, not reproduced) was exhibited during this event.
- Our work is most likely lot 176 of the Drouot Esmations auction on May 27, 1994, described as follows: "Joël Martel. Mandarin duck. Direct carving sculpture. Signed. Height. 21 cm." and unfortunately not reproduced in the catalog.
- Our work was presented under number 277 of the Collignon & Laurent sale on December 12, 1996. It was reproduced in the catalog and described as follows: "Joël Martel. The heath hen. Rare and beautiful direct-carved wooden sculpture. Signed. H. 21 cm. 15,000 F." It was acquired for the equivalent of 3049 euros and later enhanced with a small wooden terrace.
Note: During the sale in 1994 (and again in 1996 as it is very likely the same piece), the work is presented as being solely by Joël Martel (which is technically very accurate). This leads us to believe that the person who entrusted it during this sale was a direct descendant or a very close relative of its first owner, Mémé Aublé Gorecka, as she seems very aware of the genesis and the name of the exact executor of this piece.