Python enlaçant une gazelle (Python crushing a gazelle)

Dating from 1841, Python enlaçant une gazelle was conceived as the pendant to Python étouffant un crocodile (see lot 160). Related sketches and paintings are in the collections of the Baltimore Museum of Art (inv. no. L.1934.48.603) and Fabius Frères, Paris. The model was first offered in Besse's 1844 catalogue as Serpent et gazelle and with the comment: "Encore une charmante habitante des forêts qui va mourir sous la dent venimeuse d'un vilain serpent." Lifetime épreuves are rare and posthumously the model was edited by Barbedienne. So far, it has not been possible to identify the collection to which the painted inventory numbers and initials B.V.C. to the underside of this cast relate.