Pub signs and what they tell us

A painting, a collection of pub signs and a controversial property. (A smoking dog, a well-dressed frog and a pyramid included.)

Carel Weight (British 1908-1997), sketch for ‘An Episode in the Childhood of a Genius’

A few weeks ago, an auction catalogue made its way through my letterbox. The special thing about auction catalogues is that they always surprise you - you can never fully know what to expect. Even if you’re well-versed in the history of art, many pieces are quite obscure and it’s likely you haven’t encountered or seen them before. Every catalogue hides a surprise, much like this painting. Have you noticed what’s actually going on in this picture?

Detail from Carel Weight’s sketch for ‘An Episode in the Childhood of a Genius’

Carel Weight’s sketch for ‘An Episode in the Childhood of a Genius’ is inspired by a story his mother shared. As a young girl she climbed out of the window and dared to navigate a narrow windowsill towards neighbour's bright blooms in a window-box, while onlookers feared a fall. Somehow they got her back. With this story, a new theme emerged - humorous fantasy - and Weight embraced it wholeheartedly, making it a defining element of his art. Later he reimagined the scene:

'That gave me an idea for a picture. I moved the scene to the outside of a pub, and substituted a young lad who'd climbed up the inn sign and perched himself precariously on top. He was causing great consternation not only to people in the pub but also among the crowd who'd gathered outside'.

Let’s not overlook the true star of the show - the pub sign - it’s utterly ingenious the whole narrative centres around it. In Weight’s hands, the pub sign transforms from a mere traditional signpost into the epicentre of a narrative brimming with tension and humour. It’s like he’s elevating the humble sign to a character in its own right. Weight’s clever use of humorous fantasy to turn a simple anecdote into a captivating visual narrative underlines the painting's own genius. Lives up to the title’s promise, that’s for sure!

THE PUB SIGNS

The Bottle House Inn in Penshurst, Kent, is a 15th-century pub surrounded by lovely walks, all not too far from London. Its stunning blue glass-blown sign is handmade by Adam Aaronson.

And this brings me to one of my countryside living joys – the pubs. They hold a special place in my heart, in London just as much. The realisation of how deep my pub affection ran struck me when I moved to Paris over a decade ago, suddenly faced with a choice of many cafes and bistros. Delightful as they were, in their chic Parisian way, none could relieve the genuine physical pangs for the quintessential British pub. I missed everything: the flushed cheeks after a walk in the rain, Sunday roast with newspapers scattered across the table, dogs and more dogs, dried hops on wooden beams, muddy boots, cosy fires in winter, and lively chatter in beer gardens in the summer. It wasn't long before I found my way back to London, to my favourite country walks and, importantly, to the pubs again.

I’m in awe of pub signs. They capture the imagination, punctuating the high streets and country roads. Yes, there are familiar names - all the Harts, Stags, Swans, Horses, Ploughs, Cardinals, Bishops, Queens, Georges, Princes and Princesses, Greyhounds, Oaks, Cocks, Bells, Bulls, Hares, Foxes and Talbots! The list goes on - but each holds its own.

The history of pubs is fascinating, tracing back to Roman 'tabernae' - taverns - that originally sold wine and food while offering a place to rest for the night. The first pub signs were made from vine leaves hanging from a pole outside. In Britain, where vines were scarce, taverns adapted by fixing evergreen branches to their facades, leading to the earliest pub name: The Bush. 🌳

As centuries unfolded, ale largely replaced wine and the landscape of pub signage evolved. In 1393, King Richard II ordered that pubs must have signs, declaring:

“Whoever shall brew ale in the town for the intention of selling it, must hang out a sign, otherwise he shall forfeit his ale."

Majority of the population was illiterate and pubs used their signs to visually narrate the story behind the names. With every pub sign you pass you're essentially walking through history. Swinging gently in the wind, these signs, are far more than mere markers - they tell stories of politics, religion, culture, art and the natural world. Each pub sign is a time capsule, suspended above us, as we enjoy a drink, some rest and togetherness that many have enjoyed before us.

My selection of pub signs across the UK, mostly hand-painted. Every picture tells a story and every pint shared is a toast to history itself.

I'm surprised Taschen hasn’t produced a coffee table book on British pub signs - those everyday works of art with untold stories. I now dream of working together with a photographer on a collection, to make sure those signs are always admired. Happily, I discovered traditional sign writers like Camilla Rose still exist, keeping the art alive with their hand-painted work, fuelling my hope that not all is lost.

THE HOUSE WITH THE PUB SIGN

Former pub named after Jack Fuller, now a 7 bedroom house, Oxley’s Green near Brightling, Robertsbridge, East Sussex

I recently drove past a property for sale - a Grade II listed former pub, still proudly displaying its original pub sign. Transformed into a seven-bedroom home, it’s nestled in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty near the charming village of Brightling. Positioned on a quiet lane in a idyllic, rural location, the views stretch wide and open over an adjoining farmland. A selection of historic bottles in the drawing room nods directly to its past.

Here a pub sign gives us a window into the context of the time it was created. A notable previous owner was Mad Jack Fuller, a figure of historical interest and complexity, known for both his eccentricities and controversial political views. Among his legacies are six follies scattered across the landscape, each telling a story of a man fascinated by architectural playfulness, despite the shadow cast by his support of slavery.

The presence of Mad Jack Fuller’s follies in the landscape - rooted in a past not devoid of controversy - reminds us of the importance of looking beyond the facade. These structures, including the property itself with its lingering pub sign, serve not just as physical reminders of a different era but also as prompts for deeper reflection on the stories we choose to celebrate and the legacies we inherit. As we admire the view on the rolling hills and the selection of historic bottles hinting at a lively past, let's also consider the stories untold and the histories hidden within these walls and beyond.

Fuller’s follies: The Tower, The Temple, The Sugar Loaf, The Observatory, The Pyramid Mausoleum and The Needle. Every one of them still exists in East Sussex.

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