Discovered in Wyoming in the 1990s, the late Jurassic-era relic stands at 2.1 metres and stretches 5 metres long. Originally restored by palaeontologist Barry James in 2000, from whom it earned its namesake, Barry underwent further enhancement last year by Italian laboratory Zoic.

Alexandre Giquello of Hotel Drouot, where the auction is set to take place, remarked on Barry’s outstanding condition, noting its skull’s 90% completion and the overall skeleton’s 80% intactness. Such specimens are a rarity on the art market, seeing no more than a few global sales annually, Arab News reports.

Before its anticipated auction the public will be granted a preview of Barry in mid-October.