"Casino" Enamel Art Deco Sign, Design by Cassandre, French Artist

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I can’t even boil water in my own kitchen without my own Cassandre "CASINO" sign to oversee the operation. That … Read more I can’t even boil water in my own kitchen without my own Cassandre "CASINO" sign to oversee the operation. That cute little grocer-guy's immodest message: “Je vends partout, je vends de tout” (I sell everywhere, I sell everything) propels me to the highest culinary accomplishments.

In 1931 the French grocery chain CASINO (pronounced kahzeeno) hired France’s preeminent graphic artist, Adolphe Mouron, to create a poster to promote their business. Down in the lower right-hand corner of that poster Mouron plunked the grocer-guy in his apron, holding the world globe in one hand, his scale in the other. Mouron, by the way, sought fame as a “serious” artist and hence hid behind the moniker Cassandre when he sullied himself by working in the lesser graphic and – ugh – commercial arts. If you were attracted by the name Cassandre you already know that he was the most prominent and gifted commercial artist in France during the Art Deco period, famed for such iconic posters as Normandie, Nord Express, Dubonnet and Pi Volo.

The folks at Casino doubtless perceived the magic in Cassandre’s grocer-guy, and hired the magicians at the Emaillerie Alsacienne in Strasbourg to create enamel signs such as the one I’m selling here, signs which promptly appeared along the byways and highways of La Belle France. How long they lasted is another question -- the temptation to pry them off their moorings and take them home was clearly far too great. Such a compliment! I suspect that at this late date there isn’t one left to steal in France. So you don’t have to buy a plane ticket to France, hire a black BMW stealth machine and troll through the countryside under the cover of darkness to find yours. I’ve done the dirty work of buying it from an honest antiques dealer in France, and I offer it to you without a flicker of shame.

These beautifully crafted signs were fabricated by the Emaillerie Alsacienne of Strasbourg.

The local French cowboys couldn't resist hurling their empty wine bottles and/or 2-day-old baguettes at Monsieur Casssandre's masterpiece, merely adding to its vintage authenticity and "patina," as we say in the trade... I, for one, happen to enjoy these little manifestations of authentic antiquity... Following the French model, I never let a little matter of a dent, a crack, a wrinkle or a chip stand between myself and the soul of the object..

Measurements: about 27 wide, 29 1/4 high. See less