Simon Cognoulle (1687-1744) was a celebrated wood-carver from Liège who was noted particularly for his skill with reliefs. These were often based on graphic compositions, usually known from engravings, as in the present case.
The present relief of Porus is part of a series of six panels, now dispersed, which depicts the Triumphs of Alexander. This series, one panel of which is signed Simon Cognoulle Scvl. A. Liege., has long been considered Cognoulle's chef d'oeuvre, and is mentioned in all biographical accounts.
Although unverified, it has been suggested that this series is one formerly housed in the king's cabinet at Fontainebleau, first mentioned by Baron de Villenfagne in 1778. It can be positively identified for the first time when it was offered for sale at the Hotel Drouot in a sale devoted exclusively to the series on 14 February, 1885. At that time it was bought by "a representative of the Berlin Museums", possibly Wilhelm von Bode, for the spectacular price of 17,600 francs.