The Sign carver
Sculpture
The Sign Carver takes on a wide variety of projects, great & small, and approaches each new project with passion & the utmost attention to detail.
Sculpture
The Sign Carver takes on a wide variety of projects, great & small, and approaches each new project with passion & the utmost attention to detail.
Sculpture
Sculpture is the main passion and driving force behind the Sign Carver, who can often be found ankle-deep in woodchips, trying to find that wonderful third dimension in a chunk of wood or stone.
In addition, the Sign Carver has extensive experience with casting of sculptures in bronze, cement and resin and collaborates with mould makers and foundries.
Not sure which material to choose? We will happily advise you on the best application to suit your particular project.
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- Small crucifix for a church in Constantia
Religious Sculpture
The Sign Carver crafts custom religious sculpture, religious relief wood carvings, and sculpture restorations in wood, cement or plaster.
Each sculpture is a custom designed original, made according to the client’s specific style and preferences.
Whether for a church, synagogue, educational facility or a private residence, the Sign Carver has skills and knowledge to design and manufacture something totally unique; a custom designed and beautifully crafted sculpture in a style that is suited to your specific needs and requirements.
From a life-sized carved wooden Corpus sculpture, Madonna and Child and Saints, to sets of Stations of the Cross and Tree of Life murals we are inspired to be able to provide this important imagery.
Available to order
You can own one or a pair of lions in bronze to guard the steps of your business or private residence as photographed here (75cm / 29.5 inches tall).
These regal beauties are cast in bronze with the option of customising them with a monogram or coat of arms on the ball (under the paw).
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- A pair of bronze Lions guard the entrance to a boutique hotel, St James, Cape Town
Wood sculpture
Wood, unlike clay, has a special beauty in its grain, colour and warmth which the Sign Carver is drawn to. The Sign Carver has works in many sizes and has sculptures scattered around South Africa and the globe.
Do you have a piece of wood in mind for a sculpture? A wood with a very marked grain pattern is more suitable for simple shapes as the pattern will detract from features on a detailed piece of work. For detailed work such as figures and faces, a timber, either dark or light, with a feint grain is best as the detail won’t be overpowered by the grain pattern.
Stone sculpture
Ivan Hunter has experience carving softer varieties of stone with hand tools, including slate, marble, serpentine and Zimbabwean opal stone. Work has included a hand-carved slate plaque for an historical graveyard in Stellenbosch and various artistic pieces.
He also teaches a weekly hour and a half lesson in stone carving to a senior class at a school in Cape Town.
Do you have a piece of wood in mind for a sculpture? A wood with a very marked grain pattern is more suitable for simple shapes as the pattern will detract from features on a detailed piece of work. For detailed work such as figures and faces, a timber, either dark or light, with a feint grain is best as the detail won’t be overpowered by the grain pattern.
The Signcarver
"There is an unmistakable crafted feel as each sculpture is made lovingly, by hand"
- hand carved Craftsmanship Since 1994 -
SEe our work
The Sign Carver beautifully crafts each sculpture with care & precision, delivering a high quality product that is very durable.
You can own your very own custom sculpture and enjoy a truly distinctive & captivating piece of art that will be cherished for generations to come.
Meet Ivan Hunter
Each coat of arms is hand-carved by Ivan Hunter, who brings his expertise & passion to every detail of the carving process.
hand carved Craftsmanship
- Since 1994 -
Make an enquiry
Order your next piece of art in the round. Each sculpture is carved with hand held tools, achieving a finish that machine cut signs simply cannot match.
By submitting your details, you consent to having this website store your submitted information for the purposes of responding to your enquiry.
Or email your enquiry to: [email protected]
Why choose us
With 30 years of craftsmanship, our dedication to quality, attention to detail, and personalized approach make us the ideal choice for those seeking unique & meaningful pieces of art.
Hand Carved
Each item is lovingly crafted with hand held tools, achieving a finish that machine cut materials simply cannot match.
Custom Made
Everything we make is custom designed & original, made according to the client’s specific style & preferences.
Durable Finish
Our outdoor signs are durable enough to mature gracefully while other signs are fading & crumbling in the harsh African sun.
30 Years of Experience
The Sign Carver has been carving professionally since 1994. Not sure which material to choose? We will happily advise you on the best application to suit your particular project.
What our clients say
We came across this beautiful sign when we bought our guest lodge in 2013. It turns out that the sign was put up in 2008 - back when Tom & Enid Knight were the owners.
The Sign Carver did an outstanding job. The sign is amazing in that it has not aged or needed maintenance, even after all these years. There's joy in seeing real craftsmanship outshine the pretenders of today.
The Sign Carver did an outstanding job. The sign is amazing in that it has not aged or needed maintenance, even after all these years. There's joy in seeing real craftsmanship outshine the pretenders of today.
Johan & Jenny
Knightsbury Luxury Guest Lodge
Ivan has created a beautifully crafted sign and we have enjoyed using it at Stellenberg over the years, and the woodwork has weathered well.
Stellenberg Gardens
Cape Town
We adore our new Rocketbar & Tree House Eatery signs. Thank you so much – they really are stunning!
Silvermist Mountain Lodge & Organic Wine Estate
Cape Town
The craftsmanship, quality and style is excellent and they really do add interest to the character of Annies House Romantic Getaway.
The delivery was made on time, exactly as promised. I recommend your service and expertise to anyone who is looking for a professional to create bespoke signs without hesitation.
Maryanne
Annie’s House Romantic Getaway, Hartebeespoort
"We are happy to share that our beautiful Whichaway Camp signpost is holding up well and still looking good. Our sign has managed to remain in great condition, despite enduring extreme winds, snow and below zero temperatures - it’s makes for an instagram selfie moment that our guests and staff just love."
Luke Brauteseth
Whichaway Camp, White Desert, Antarctica
Frequently asked questions
From our use of authentic materials to our commitment to customer satisfaction, you can trust The Sign Carver to bring your vision to life with precision, skill, & unmatched artistry.
I offer different sizes and materials including hand carved in wood, cast resin, cement or bronze. I can even carve in stone for a more traditional and enduring option.
Choosing to have a coat of arms cast in cement can be beneficial if you’d like to have multiple casts made.
The creation of each coat of arms is a meticulous process, as everything is individually handcrafted with attention to detail. While the usual delivery time is up to 25 days, please note that a specific time estimate will be indicated on the quote provided for your custom coat of arms.
We ensure timely delivery while maintaining the highest quality craftsmanship for your unique piece of art.
Each coat of arms is uniquely designed and hand-carved or crafted to meet the specific requirements and preferences of clients.
Whether you have a specific design in mind or need assistance in creating a new coat of arms from scratch, The Sign Carver can work with you to bring your vision to life.
From selecting the right elements and symbols to designing the layout and overall aesthetic, The Sign Carver will work closely with you to ensure that your custom coat of arms is a meaningful and cherished representation.
A hand carved effect gives a feeling of history that suits the subject more than a precise machine made item.
Shields are usually from oak unless you have a particular preference. The detail carving is basswood which is the most suitable timber for this.
Barrel head carvings are carved into used oak barrel heads. These could also be used as a backing instead of a shield.
A coat of arms hand-carved in wood is designed to be durable and long-lasting for indoor use. However, if you require the item to be placed outside permanently, it’s important to choose the best wood for outdoor durability.
Alternatively cast resin, cement, bronze, or carved stone are also suitable for outside use. These materials are known for their ability to withstand exposure to the elements and provide greater durability for outdoor installations.
When discussing your custom coat of arms with The Sign Carver, feel free to mention your specific placement requirements, and suitable materials can be recommended based on your needs.
The Sign Carver takes pride in creating high-quality, durable coat of arms that will stand the test of time, regardless of whether they are displayed indoors or outdoors.
Occasional dusting with a clean paintbrush 2” inches (5 cm) wide should suffice. The corner of a damp cloth should be sufficient to remove specks or droppings.
Yes, we do!
Delivery within in South Africa is via Postnet or a freight company. Overseas deliveries are via DHL and include a fumigation certificate.
Yes, we do!
A fumigation certificate is a document that certifies that a shipment has been treated with approved fumigation methods to eliminate or prevent the spread of pests or insects. It is often required by customs and quarantine authorities in various countries to prevent the introduction of harmful pests or diseases. Having a fumigation certificate ensures that your Coat of Arms meets the import requirements of the destination country, allowing for smooth customs clearance and delivery.