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All auctions / Sculptures / A LIFESIZE MODEL FILM PROP OF AN AFRICAN RHINOCEROS 'GUS'


A LIFESIZE MODEL FILM PROP OF AN AFRICAN RHINOCEROS 'GUS' CIRCA 1960-1970 Made by Fred Pearl, owner of Art Models Ltd., of naturalistic form in rubber, hessian canvas and composition on armature, set on wheeled base rhino approximately 170cm high, 387cm long, base 19cm high, 245cm long, 155cm deep Provenance: Purchased from Fred Pearl in the late 1990s and nick-named 'Gus' by Lady McAlpine. It is believed that this rhinoceros was made for the proposed movie of Eugène Ionesco's 1959 play "Rhinoceros" which was to star Barbara Windsor and Tony Hancock, but the project was cancelled when the leading man had to go to a clinic to dry out. The matching other model made for the film was unfortunately destroyed after it was hired to a Debutante's ball in London. 'Freddy' Pearl worked for the toy manufacturer, Lines Brothers, as a model maker of dolls and toys in their factory. He went on to make a wide range of models for films, and set up his own model making business, Art Models Ltd., producing models for films, television, museums and exhibitions. Arguably the most well-known of Fred's creations were for the original 1977 Star Wars, including the Dewback, as glimpsed on the planet of Tatooine. Fred Pearl, owner of Art Models Ltd. in Wimbledon, a freelance SFX model maker who worked with many film companies over the years producing fine models and creature effects for a myriad of films. Subsequently he went on to provide the Jerba and the Dewback for Start Wars (1977). The Dewback was created using a Rhino body (such as this) with added head and tail. A LIFESIZE MODEL FILM PROP OF AN AFRICAN RHINOCEROS 'GUS', CIRCA 1960-1970, Made by Fred Pearl, owner of Art Models Ltd., of naturalistic form in rubber, hessian canvas and composition on armature, set on wheeled base, rhino approximately 170cm high, 387cm long, base 19cm high, 245cm long, 155cm deep, Provenance:, Purchased from Fred Pearl in the late 1990s and nick-named 'Gus' by Lady McAlpine. It is believed that this rhinoceros was made for the proposed movie of Eugène Ionesco's 1959 play "Rhinoceros" which was to star Barbara Windsor and Tony Hancock, but the project was cancelled when the leading man had to go to a clinic to dry out. The matching other model made for the film was unfortunately destroyed after it was hired to a Debutante's ball in London. 'Freddy' Pearl worked for the toy manufacturer, Lines Brothers, as a model maker of dolls and toys in their factory. He went on to make a wide range of models for films, and set up his own model making business, Art Models Ltd., producing models for films, television, museums and exhibitions. Arguably the most well-known of Fred's creations were for the original 1977 Star Wars, including the Dewback, as glimpsed on the planet of Tatooine. Fred Pearl, owner of Art Models Ltd. in Wimbledon, a freelance SFX model maker who worked with many film companies over the years producing fine models and creature effects for a myriad of films. Subsequently he went on to provide the Jerba and the Dewback for Start Wars (1977). The Dewback was created using a Rhino body (such as this) with added head and tail
Estimate:£1,000
Sold for:£3,800
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Hammer price:
£3,800
Estimate:
£1,000

OCT 8 | 3:00 PM

OCT 8 | 3:00 PM

Bring your auction to collectors worldwide!
Get listed nowEst: £685.74
£204.53
OCT 17 | 10:00 PM