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Lot Essay
Animal fables were popular morality tales from the late 17th century through the 18th century. These scenes are probably from Jean de la Fontaine's Fables Choisie, mise en vers, illustrated by Charles-Nicholas Cochin after original drawings by Jean-Baptiste Oudry. In 1751 the banker M. de Montenault bought Jean-Baptiste Oudry's drawings illustrating the fables, and commissioned Charles-Nicholas Cochin to engrave them. The first three volumes were published in Paris in 1755 and 56 and the final volume in 1759.
The "collapsed Hussar" seems to derive from an English satirical print mocking foreigners, possibly from a well-known Rowlandson series. See Howard & Ayers, op. cit., no. 317. The juxtaposition of the Hussar and the fox fables on this bowl may have made a point to the late 18th century collector that is lost to the modern eye.
The "collapsed Hussar" seems to derive from an English satirical print mocking foreigners, possibly from a well-known Rowlandson series. See Howard & Ayers, op. cit., no. 317. The juxtaposition of the Hussar and the fox fables on this bowl may have made a point to the late 18th century collector that is lost to the modern eye.