Antoine-Marie-Melotte(1722-1795) attributed.a monumental documentary Flemish oak diorama panel (CIRCA.1745-50) carved in 3-dimension ,of very fine quality, depicting an equestrian battle scene executed by one of the last great baroque wood carvers who trained under the most important 17th century sculptor Simon -Cognoulle.(1687-1744)this carved panel was influenced by the alexander the great cult which swept through Europe in the late 17th century and early 18th century in fashion and design,the panel is a direct interpretation carved in wood ,of the huge oil painting ,painted in 1665 by louis X1V court painter Charles-Le-Brun(1619-1690)of monumental size.470cmx1264cm.which now hangs in the louvre museum,paris,and titled alexander the great and porus(puru) during the battle of the hydaspes,depicting the captured indian king porus who is being carried by Macedonian soldiers,around and beyond is the aftermath of the great battle,alexander is to the right of centre,as in le-bruns majestic heroic oil painting,alexander wearing his exuberant plumes in his helmet on his mounted steed bacephalus,at his side the mounted general Hephaestion,conversing with the captive king.Even as a prisoner porus was not to be cowed ,and when alexander asked him how should he be treated,porus told him as a king to a king,and that was how he was treated.sadly for alexander his faithful loyal old battle horse bacephalus died of his wounds after the battle.........APPENDIX..see- exhibition The myth of Alexander.De.Groot.Hermitage-Amsterdam,on the 8th of September -2010- to 8th march -2011.an extract as mentioned in the exhibition catalog .on the first floor room setting ,admire the magnificent carved wood wall panels by the master carver antoine-marie-merlotte from liege,belgium,who has directly translated in wood ,Charles -le- bruns majestic oil paintings of the immortal alexanders collective battles from antiquity ,they are off the finest quality influenced in wood-sculpture.....LITERATURE.see etching by Sebastian -Le-Clerc(,french.1637-1714),after Le-Brun.titled .aAlexander pities the misfortunes of King Porus and receives him as a friend ..etching by Gerard Audran...(.lyons.1640-1703 ) .Alexander and King Porus,held by the national trust collection at dunster castle.uk. the panel offered is probably from a fireplace or overmantle- back, of the period.(size of panel 36''x78'') in unrestored condition,with some defects to the carving,and cracks to the 3 panel hewn planked panel back , not in original frame,see images with close ups..