George V Novelty Silver Gilt 'Flambeau' Dog Menu Holder After Benjamin Rabier

A rare George V novelty silver gilt Menu Holder modelled as the cartoon dog "Flambeau", with engraved decoration, the plain circular base with the designer's signature - Benjamin Rabier.

By Sampson Mordan & Co, Chester, 1912. Also stamped with French import marks.

Benjamin Rabier (1864-1939) is a French illustrator, comic book artist and animator. He became famous for creating La vache qui rit, and is one of the precursors of animal comics. His work has inspired many other artists, notably Hergé and Edmond-François Calvo. Rabier started to work as an illustrator for various newspapers after meeting Caran d'Ache. His most famous creations are Gideon the duck and the characters he drew for Le roman de Renart.

"Flambeau" - A literal 'dog of war', this creation utilised Rabier's ability to use animals as a means to talk about people. Flambeau highlighted the absurdity of the war and combined black humour with heroic tales. By 1916 the small dog had become so successful that he featured in a number of early animated cartoons that were made in collaboration with the father of modern animation Émile Cohl (1857–1938).

Sold - £250.00