Jacopo Merculiano (1859-1935) studied at the Institute of Fine Arts, Naples, under the guidance of Solari and Toma and frequenting the studio of Stanislao Lista. He exhibited in Naples and Palermo during the 1880's. He later moved to Paris and became a naturalised Frenchman. Receiving an honourable mention at the Exposition Universelle of 1889, he specialised in animal figures and portrait busts.

A smaller silvered model without marble base sold at Christies, Manson and Woods, Amsterdam, 15th June 1983.