RENÉ BRY

oxidised silver, realistically modelled and textured

Gunter Sachs, Mein Leiben, Munich, 2005, p. 380, illustrated in a colour photograph of the Sitting Room at Gunter Sachs Parisian home.

Tip of the horn with a few minor surface scratches, quality of casting and overall condition excellent For further queries please contact the Silver Department directly on +44(0)207 293 5100
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

René Bry began his career as a silversmith in 1937 and was nominated administrateur of Van Cleef & Arpels during the Second World War. He opened his first shop,  Bry & Cie in 1944 and was joined by his son, Claude in the 1950s and then his grandsons, Frederic and Jean Marc in the 1980s.

Bry took inspiration from his interest in big game hunting to design jewellery and realistically modelled figures of animals, such as serpent-like gold watches and gold-mounted plaited elephant hair bracelets. This unique silver rhinoceros was made in the 1980s from a specially-commissioned carved wood model (see the previous lot), both of which were purchased by Gunter Sachs directly from Bry & Cie. Afterwards, in 2000, the firm issued an edition of eight identical rhinoceros figures cast in bronze from the original model.