“Chocolate makes the world go round“, and this is not just a piece, it’s the whole cake! We’re so extremely excited to have this absolute masterpiece in our gallery this month. This is without any doubt one of the worlds’ most wanted pieces of antique enamel advertising art today: Joseph Husson’s extra large Milka Suchard Bernhardiner. The design dates from 1902, and was produced as an enamel sign somewhere between 1905 and 1910. The illustration shows ‘Barry’ the Bernhardiner rescue dog, legendary for saving travellers caught in snow on their ascent to the pass at the beginning of the 20th century. In the background we notice the Grand-St-Bernard Hospice located in Bourg-Saint-Pierre, a Swiss border pass at an altitude of 2472m between Switzerland and Italy. Artworks, historical documents, and antique enamel advertising signs as this one bring the legend of the extraordinary dog back to life. Even to this day the Hospice du Grand-Saint-Bernard and the Bernhardiner dogs welcome hikers and pilgrims all year round. Nowadays only 12 to 15 of these large signs remain, and are located in private collections. Unfortunately most of them are in bad to very bad condition, often even heavily restored. This one has never been in any auction, book or catalogue before and very accidently popped-up as a recent Swiss barnfind. The sign is in a very good overall condition with superb colors, although time marked it with some small impacts. An absolute stunning sign. Looks like Christmas came early this year.