A PAIR OF CHELSEA PORCELAIN FABLE CANDLESTICKS, 'THE ASS AND THISTLES' AND 'THE DOG IN THE MANGER'

Aesop, in his Fables, tells the story of 'The Ass and Thistles' in which an ass carries choice foods to his masters at harvest, stopping to pluck only a thistle for himself. In contrast, his 'The Dog in the Manger' recounts the tale of jealous dog who, though he cannot eat the cattle's grain himself, lies in the manger to prevent it being eaten.