Behind the Bronze: The Birth of La Nuit

The original model for La Nuit was created in the Rinck workshops, shaped in clay by Simon Buret, alongside Loïc Barbedienne, the house’s ornamental sculptor. This clay maquette captured the artistic intent, gesture, and final proportions. The foundry then stepped in as a kind of translator—breathing the artist’s vision into molten bronze.

Founded by Maurice Adobati and now run by his sons, Orell and Basile, the foundry continues the ancient tradition of lost-wax casting—a technique that has endured for millennia, allowing every detail of a sculpture to be faithfully reproduced.

Before the bronze work begins, a flexible mold is made from the clay model. From this, a wax replica is produced, capturing each vein, each surface nuance with stunning accuracy. The wax is then coated in a heat-resistant shell and fired at high temperature. As the wax melts away, it leaves a cavity into which the molten metal is poured.

Through this collaboration, Rinck celebrates the union of tradition and contemporary creativity—where ancient techniques meet modern design, resulting in a work that embodies the very essence of fine craftsmanship.