Although listed as No. 2, this version of the sculpture was actually Barye's third variant. It is distinguished by the larger and more threatening snake and by the tufted rather than flowing mane.
This particular piece is a foundry model that was sand cast in four sections. It was then assembled using interlocking pins, ridges, and slots. The founder's mark, VP surmounted by a crown, is that of Victor Paillard.
<bdi><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Antoine-Louis_Barye" class="extiw" title="w:en:Antoine-Louis Barye"><span title="French sculptor">Antoine-Louis Barye</span></a>
</bdi>
issued ca. 1858
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