Pair of 19th Century French Rebus Plates with Solutions on Reverse man cave There is a small corner

There is a small corner loss to the slate

I especially love the simply carved bird on the top

hand-forged iron nails

T Barnum's invention and exhibition of his own brand of Circassian beauties-- the latter a distinctly late 19th century invention

The basketry on that one was somewhat more elaborate

Pair of 19th Century French Rebus Plates with Solutions on Reverse man cave There is a small cornerI just can't resist a rebus when I come across one, whether hand drawn, or engraved, or printed as transfers on dessert plates, as here. I found this pair in PA, but they are French, produced by J Veillard, Bordeux, mid 19th c. I believe. And indeed, these were used for serving the dessert course, with one meant to puzzle out the solutions while enjoying their sweets then one could flip the plate to find the solution on reverse. I'm not smart, or