Vintage fireback decorated with the "Shoemaker and Banker", France 1890

French fireback with the 'Shoemaker and Banker', late 19th century. Made of cast iron with an image based on a story by the French writer and poet Jean de La Fontaine (1621-1695). The restless peace of a financier is interrupted by the cheerful singing of a shoemaker. The financier interviews the worker about his work and offers him a gift of one hundred crowns to protect him from any misfortune. Worry about the safety of the new money destroys the cobbler's own peace of mind, but grants the financier a period of uninterrupted peace. Finally the cobbler returns the money and demands the return of his songs and his sleep. 25 kg Reference : 306651