Antoine Louis Barye, “Panther of India,” Plaster, c. 19th Century

This sculpture depicts an large wild cat perched thoughtfully on a flat rock with muscles tensed and body slightly turned in a guard-like position. The cat’s front legs are extended. The right front paw sits flat while the left is rotated to the outside. Both rear legs are curled up toward the cat’s front side. The tail hangs off the rock and curls around to the back in a near circle with the tip of the tail curled further. The artist’s name: Bayre is visible on the front long edge of the rock.