In December 1907, a dredging contractor from Merville wrote to the curator of Lille Museum: "Mr Rigaux, I have the honour of submitting for your appreciation 3 bronze statuettes found about six months ago buried in a plot of land along the Lys in Merville. As they appear to be old, I would be obliged if you could provide any information about their origin." In July the following year, the museum acquired these bronzes of exceptional size and quality.
