Sign writing, gold leaf, heraldic art, pub signs, gilding and English heraldry

The pictorial sign is probably the most important sign especially within the licensed trade. The pub or inn hanging sign is a statement about the identity of the pub, and often the first one that potential customers see; it is also a symbol of the history and heritage of the pub. The pictorial British pub sign is admired throughout the world and owes its origins to a royal decree of 1750 which granted a liquor license "under the sign of....."

Our pictorial signs are unique as every one is hand painted with strong contrasts of tone, light and colour. They often have a different scene either side i.e. morning to evening or even totally different paintings. No two signs are ever the same as they are specifically designed for the pub, the building, and the potential customer base that the business is trying to attract. As they are hand painted with enamel they will outlast 'graphic' signs many times over and become an investment rather than recurring expense.

We have been commissioned by a number of the major and regional pub groups together with numerous free houses to design and execute original pictorial signs; as a result we, and our clients, have had national and international media coverage from Bahrain to Tasmania.

The following photographs are all thumbnail pictures. Please click on the ones you wish to see at a larger scale and they will open in a new window. When you have finished, please close that window to return here. Thank you.
	The Harrow featuring two cart horses
	The Hut (Fox Taverns) with minimalistic illustration
	The Playden Oast featuring the triple rounded oast during daytime The Playden Oast at night (reversed side)
	The Plough & Harrow- a mid-morning scene. The Plough & Harrow- evening scene (reversed side)
	The Peace & Plenty
	Doyles Irish Pub
	Sandhurst
	The King's Head
	The White Hart
	The Two Sawyers showing a double-sided sign by day and by night
	The Denbigh showing a double sided sign with slightly different images
	Magnolia House with illustrations featuring "Magnolia soulangiana"
	Reverse side of Magnolia House featuring "Magnolia liliiflora"
	Catts Green Farm. The illustration shows Mr. Downey's prize-winning bull.
	2 Hurst Lane. An ornate house sign showing a traditional Sussex windmill in the evening.
	Garlands Garden Centre. Two main signs at the entrance- 2.4m wide and 1.8m high.
	Double sided sign with illustration depicting shrubs- text in gold leaf.
	Double sided sign with illustration depicting bedding plants- text in gold.
	Double sided sign with illustration depicting cut flowers from the florist- text in gold leaf.
	White Horse sign.
	Queens Road Antiques.
	"The Cove" at Sunrise "The Cove" at Sunset
	"Potters".
	"Royal Oak".
	"The Bear Inn."
	"The Johns Cross Inn".
	"The Neptune" depicting the logo of Greene King.
	"The Neptune" depicting the logo of "King Neptune".
"Boot Inn" Morning	The Boot at Stockbridge in Hampshire, UK has the River Test flowing through its garden; it is one of the most famous trout streams in the world. The scene depicted is slightly upstream from the inn.	"Boot Inn" Evening
	Leo's Cathouse This was a commission from Georgia (USA) for farmer Leo who had retired and sold his stock. All he had left in his barns were his cats and his friends are now referring to the farm as 'Leo's Cathouse'.
	"The White Horse Inn".
	A simplistic but elegant illustration.
	The Limes. A commission from Germany for a house sign depicting the house with its 200metre avenue of lime trees.
	A commission from Chile for a house sign depicting the view from the ranch in the national park.
	Our own studio sign complete with resident white doves.