1930? 7" white plate from Sarreguemines, France. Inside a 1.5" rim there is a representation of Grandville's "The Cat and the Monkey" (IX 17). The front carries two inscriptions: "Fables de la Fontaine" and "5. Le Singe et le Chat." The back has a smudged "Digoin" stamp. One extra exemplar.
With GA, this is the closest following of Grandville. It is also perhaps the best executed design of all the plates I have seen thus far. My only question concerns Grandville's interpretation of what was going on in the scene. I think the monkey needs to be behind the cat's back--in any case not eating the nuts in front of him! There is a slight hiatus between a fallen "DE" and a high "LA" on the top front of the plate. Also, the "5" is not clear. I had thought it might be a "4."
1930? 7¼" white bowl from Sarreguemines, France. 1.5" deep. Inside the bowl there is a brown adaptation of Grandville's "The Cat and the Fox." The front carries two inscriptions: "Fables de la Fontaine" and "1. Le Chat et le Renard." The back has the usual Digoin stamp. From an unknown source before 2006.
The two characters are in the outdoor setting that will test their evasive "tricks." Each raises a paw in their contention with each other about the effectiveness of their manoeuvres. Hats, vests, and trousers humanize both. The fox is carrying prey he has captured. The cat has a walking stick. Was Royce an adapter of Grandville's work?
