Quarterboard signs are handsomely carved ornamental signboards, initially made for the ships whose names they bore. Many of the antique quarterboards came from the maritime trade of the 19th century when huge five and six-masted wooden sailing vessels carried cargo along the East coast of the United States. Unfortunately, wrecks were common in those days, and many of the quarterboards ended up ashore, either washed up on the beach or picked directly off the shipwrecks.
Quarterboards still tell stories as they did hundreds of years ago.
Since 1815, maritime law has established that every ship and vessel requires a name on the sides and stern. Thus, a ship’s captain might call upon a woodworker to carve its name into the sides of the boat. The characters would also require the painting to distinguish the name from the other parts of the ship. Before too long, they started being painted in gold-lining to make it further distinguishable from a distance and make the letting more fanciful.
Designs & Signs continues this age-old tradition of providing quarterboards for ship sterns. We use gold leaf paint and apply it to shade and outline the name just as artists did it centuries ago. Our artists offer you this same kind of service and will be happy to provide quarterboards of the highest quality and style for your boat.
Carved Quarterboards
We shape and carved every board by hand, and finish all of our hand-made quarterboards with 23 karat gold leaf. So let’s make beautiful boards for your yacht!
QUARTERBOARD signs with GOLD LEAF look great!
These are such beautiful carved teak boards for Remedy that we carved by hand. First, we sand them to smooth them out between coats of varnish. Then, we apply gold leaf by hand with a hand-painted outline. With regular upkeep of the varnish, these boards will last a lifetime.
We also make Gold Leaf Boat Names & Life Rings.
- Perfect Gold Leaf Yacht Lettering – Audrey
- Gold Leaf Boat Lettering – Top Shelf
- 23 karat Gold Leaf Yacht Lettering – Compass Rose
- Personalized Life Ring – Gale Ann
