Roja Pakku Vitreous Enamel Advertising Sign - Tamil Nadu, India, c.1960

A wonderful piece of South Asian commercial history — a vitreous enamel on steel advertising sign for Roja Pakku, a betel nut brand produced by N.V.K.M. & Sons of Dindigul, Tamil Nadu. These signs were displayed in shops, markets and tea stalls across South India from the mid-20th century onward, and are now eagerly sought by collectors of advertising ephemera both in India and internationally.

The design is striking and confident: deep cobalt blue ground with bold white Tamil script dominating the right side of the sign, and a detailed diamond-shaped trademark badge to the left. The badge carries the brand name ROJA in Roman lettering within a circular seal, flanked by decorative rose motifs and the registered number 118331 repeated in both English and Tamil script. The manufacturer credit — MFRS: N.V.K.M. & SONS, DINDIGUL-1 — runs along the lower edge in clean sans-serif lettering.

The enamel face retains strong colour with some edge chipping and minor rust to the borders, entirely consistent with age and outdoor use. The reverse shows substantial patina. Four corner mounting holes are present. A characterful and authentic piece of Indian advertising graphics with the kind of bold, flat-colour design that looks as good on a contemporary wall as it would have done outside a 1960s Tamil Nadu provisions store.

Vitreous enamel on steel construction. Deep cobalt blue ground with white Tamil script and English lettering. Diamond-shaped ROJA trademark badge with circular seal and rose motifs. Registered No. 118331 in English and Tamil. Manufacturer credit — N.V.K.M. & Sons, Dindigul-1, Tamil Nadu. Four corner mounting holes. Four additional drilled holes to face. Edge chipping and border rust consistent with age. Strong enamel colour to face. 30cm x 10cm (12" x 4"). Circa 1950s–1970s.

Strong enamel colour to face. Edge chipping and minor rust to borders. Reverse shows substantial patina. Consistent with age and outdoor use.