Vintage Devon Toffees Porcelain Enamel Advertising Sign – Dodo Designs c.1980s

Vintage Devon Toffees Porcelain Enamel Advertising Sign – Dodo Designs c.1980s

A wonderfully colourful piece of British vintage nostalgia! This charming Devon Toffees advertising sign, produced by Dodo Designs in England, features a delightful thatched cottage complete with climbing roses, leaded windows, an old-fashioned water pump and a little cat sitting beside the bright red front door.

Dating to approximately the 1980s, the sign captures the nostalgic appeal of traditional English sweet shops and country cottages. Its distinctive cottage-shaped outline, cheerful yellow thatched roof and bold red lettering make it a particularly attractive decorative piece.

Made from porcelain enamel on metal, the sign has a lovely glossy finish and beautifully detailed artwork. The reverse retains the original manufacturer's identification:

Dodo Designs (Mfrs) Ltd, 8 Lonsdale Gardens, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England.

It also features the company's distinctive dodo bird trademark, together with the wording "Permission Granted" and "Hand printed finest porcelain enamel".

A Little History

Dodo Designs was a British company known for its nostalgic and decorative giftware, including reproduction-style advertising signs and printed metalware.

During the latter part of the 20th century, designs inspired by Victorian and Edwardian advertising became increasingly popular as decorative pieces for kitchens, cafés and traditional interiors.

This Devon Toffees sign is a lovely example of that tradition, combining old-fashioned advertising imagery with colourful British craftsmanship.

Although inspired by earlier advertising styles, this is a genuine vintage decorative sign rather than an original early 20th-century commercial advertisement.

Condition

In good vintage condition, with bright colours and the original decoration displaying beautifully.

There are some small areas of enamel loss and general surface wear, particularly around the edges and fixing holes. The reverse shows age-related marks, spotting and minor discolouration.

The two mounting holes remain intact, allowing the sign to be displayed on a wall.

Please study the photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description.

Dimensions

- Length: 25 cm

- Width: 20 cm at the widest point

- Thickness: Approximately 0.1 cm (1 mm)

- Material: Porcelain enamel on metal

- Maker: Dodo Designs (Mfrs) Ltd

- Origin: England

- Date: Circa 1980s

Why We Love It

It's the little details that make this sign so appealing! From the colourful climbing roses and traditional red water pump to the tiny cat resting beside the cottage door, there's something new to discover every time you look at it.

Perfect for adding a touch of nostalgic charm to a country kitchen, vintage-inspired home, sweet shop, café or collection of British advertising memorabilia.

A cheerful reminder of a bygone era and a lovely example of British vintage decorative design.

---

The Objet d’Art Stuff Promise

We carefully research and describe our vintage and antique pieces to the best of our knowledge. As with all previously owned items, signs of age and use should be expected and are part of their individual character. Photographs are not digitally enhanced to disguise condition.

Your purchase will be carefully packed using recycled or reused packaging wherever possible.