From the subject matter to the wonderfully embellished lettering to the beautifully aged craquelure surface; this sign has it all. 

 

'Thomas. E. Painter - Licensed Retailer of Beer, Wines & Spirits to be consumed on the premises. Dealer in Tobacco' - presumably this graced the doorway of a pub / bar / tavern. It's English, mid-19th century and the signwriting is wonderfully stylised yet charmingly naieve. Mr Painter wasn't the original licensee of whatever premises this graced; his name has been painted over the original which remains faintly visible as a ghost in the background... The change certainly took place a long time ago as the lettering for Mr Painter's name shows almost as much age as the rest of the sign. 

The sign has certainly lived a life and evidences it beautifully. I suspect that the wooden frame work was added later (perhaps with the name change?) and some supporting / reinforcing strips to the reverse even later additions; all part of it's (probably very interesting) story. 

The sign measures 90.5cm wide x 37cm high x 3cm deep.

 

S/N: #2793