"Le Fou qui Vend la Sagesse." Plate · Carlson Fable Collection

Title: "Le Fou qui Vend la Sagesse." Plate
Description: 1900? Faience plate 8" in diameter showing three scenes depicting "Le Fou qui Vend la Sagesse." Numbered "3." A mark on the back seems to combine the letters "M" and "C" and says "déposé Fables Terre de Fer." $45 from Daria Edwards, NY, Feb., '00. Click on the image to see it enlarged.

The madman offers wisdom for a price, and gives those who pay a slap and a piece of thread two ells long. In this strange and wonderful story (La Fontaine IX 8), the first result is that we should not try to make sense of this act – or of anything else that fools say or do! The second result occurs in the story when one fellow, embarrassed by the blow and thread, goes to find a wise man, who tells him immediately that these things are symbols: "Stay this length of thread away from all madmen, or you'll get similar 'caresses.' You were not fooled; that madman does sell wisdom." The plate effectively presents both objects of trade, the slap and the thread. Monochrome characters in the panels at left and right are pondering the string and laughing, respectively.
Source: $45 from Daria Edwards, NY, Feb., '00.
Date: 1900?
Subject: The Fool Who Sells Wisdom See all items with this value; Tableware See all items with this value; Plates See all items with this value; Creil & Montereau Colored See all items with this value