Crystal Palace Maquette - Labyrinthodon

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A scale model in bronze showing the life-size Labyrinthodon statue erected in Crystal Palace Park, London, in 1853-1855. The models were probably made by sculptor Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins. The species that the models are based on is now recognised scientifically as Mastodonsaurus, meaning “breast tooth lizard”. The name “Labyrinthodon” was the nineteenth century anatomist Richard Owen’s attempt to replace Mastodonsaurus with a name he thought better suited the animal, but is no longer formally recognised. However, it is still used informally to refer to the Crystal Palace models. Mastodonsaurus is included within a group called ‘temnospondyls’ – giant tetrapods (four legged animals) that are thought to be primitive amphibians. For more information, see https://cpdinosaurs.org/visit/statue-details/labyrinthodon.