Benjamin Rabier Knife Rests

Item

Title
Benjamin Rabier Knife Rests
Description
1920?Ten knife rests or porte couteaux, about 3½" inches long, representing Benjamin Rabier's presentations of La Fontaine's fables. Extras of FC and "Two Mice and an Egg." Silvermaker: Devouge Dupont. $350 for ten from paintingmorningstar through eBay, Nov., '05. Two for $89.95 from Nina Lindzon, through Ebay, Oct., '01.

I first saw these—and was delighted with them--in the Clingnancourt flea market several years ago. I believe that the full set includes twelve. Each knife rest has been individually cast and is stamped with the signature, "Benjamin Rabier" and with the mark of the silvermaker in the form of a rectangle with the initials "P + a Spoon + D". The knife rests catch both something of the Art Deco era and of Rabier's continuous wit. In TH, the connection of the fencepost to the ground at the bottom of the hare's back paws is loose.
Source
$350 for ten from paintingmorningstar through eBay, Nov., '05. Two for $89.95 from Nina Lindzon, through Ebay, Oct., '01.
Date
1920?
Subject
The Fox and the Stork
The Grasshopper and the Ant
The Fox and the Crow
Retired Rat
The Wolf and the Lamb
The Monkey and the Cat
The Dog and the Wolf
The Tortoise and the Hare
The Weasel, the Rabbit, and the Cat
Two Mice and an Egg
Tableware
Knife Rests
Benjamin Rabier Knife Rests