Rare pair of 19th C. French Rebus plates from the esteemed porcelain house of Creil & Montereau. Discovered in Bayeux (Normandy), France, the pieces carry a backstamp suggesting fabrication from 1841-1876.. The plates are numbers 4 & 8 of the Proverbes - Rebus series. Clever and lovely, the center scene of each plate contains a pictorial puzzle suggesting a well known proverb. The French answer to the puzzle is included on the back. The first riddle references a mid-18th century French saying which roughly translates to "aim for two goals and risk losing them both". The second dates from a 13th century saying quoted in the "Roman de Renard" implying one cannot take the same risk over and over and expect not to finally experience a negative outcome. The intricately detailed border is wine-themed with beautiful garland of grape vines and couples in traditional dress of the region. Condition is good with age appropriate wear, crazing, small chips, and shallow cracks. Free local pickup; otherwise shipped via economical ground delivery.