Probably one of the worlds’ most wanted signs in Antique Enamel Advertising Art … the Chocolat de Villars by Cardinaux ! Jean de la Fontaine’s fable about the vain raven and slimy fox comes to live in this beautiful piece: a fox plays on a raven’s vanity and tricks him into singing a song. The raven does so and drops the piece of cheese from his beak. The fox got what he wanted and goes on his merry way. This small version of the artwork is one of only 3/4 known to exist today. The sign is in good overall condition but was restored in both upper left and right corners many years ago. No damages in the design, the tree, the animals, the white background or the below border markings. But we have to report the older restoration-work. This small version makes part of a total series of 5 different signs, meanwhile refered to as ‘the Mount Everest of Antique European Enamel Advertising Art’. A larger variant of this exclusive sign (6/7 pcs known to exist today) and in a ‘stunning superb condition’ fetched a European record at EUR 210.000,00 exclusive buyers premium (approx EUR 252k incl.) in Germany last year 2023. Emil Cardinaux, born in Bern in 1877, was a Swiss painter and one of the most important poster artists in Switzerland. Cardinaux created an extensive body of work in a wide variety of media, he illustrated books, designed mono cards , printed matter and drew caricatures. He painted landscapes on canvas, as wall and glass paintings. His fame, however, stems from the more than 130 posters that also attracted international attention.