French, early 20th century. Set of 12 chromed metal animal-form knife rests after illustrations by Benjamin Rabier of scenes from Jean de La Fontaine's collection of French fables. Each with engraved maker's mark to the underside. All approx. 1 in. wide, ranging in length from 3 3/16 to 3 7/8 in. and in height from 1 3/8 to 2 1/4 in. 

Illustrator, comic artist, and animation pioneer Benjamin Rabier (French, 1864–1939) fundamentally transformed visual humor with his expressive, mischievous animal characterizations. Master of the iconic laughing animal aesthetic, Rabier famously created the original design for La Vache qui rit  (Laughing Cow Cheese) and the French television duck hero Gédéon. Beyond his children's books and pioneering animated films, Rabier also applied his trademark wit to the decorative arts. This set of knife rests captures his celebrated illustrations for La Fontaine’s Fables, translating his legendary graphic legacy into early 20th-century tableware.