Pineapple Welcome plaque created by Al Pisano
- Pineapple Welcome Sign
Pineapple Décor and a Sign of Hospitality
I love carving Pineapples! Pineapples have a wonderful round shape with an intricate pattern-and the green top with spiky leaves. The Pineapple plaques and signs I create from my carvings can be hung in your home as a symbol of hospitality. From Colonial America to today, the Pineapple still symbolizes those wonderful feelings of hospitality and warmth you want to create in your home for friends and family.
How did the Pineapple become a symbol of hospitality? It actually started way back with Christopher Columbus. Columbus and his crew “discovered” the pineapple in Guadeloupe in 1493. They called it the piña, as it resembled a pinecone. They brought the “exotic” fruit back to Spain where it became very popular in Europe and a curiosity for centuries after its European arrival
Back in America, colonists began importing the pineapple from the Caribbean in the 17th century. Due to its exotic qualities and rareness, the pineapple soon became a symbol of hospitality.It was also considered a significant achievement for a host to procure a ripe pineapple for guests. New England sea captains who, upon returning from trade routes in the Caribbean or Pacific, would place a pineapple outside their homes as a symbol of a safe return.
Due to its association with warmth and friendliness, pineapples in America were often used as the “crowning” piece in large displays of food. The pineapple symbol was used frequently in the 18th and 19th centuries to decorate bed posts, tablecloths, napkins—anything associated with welcoming guests.
Even today, the pineapple motif still says “Welcome!”
The first Pineapple Welcome plaque I made was about 25 years ago for a company called Country Loft. They are not in business anymore but we had phenomenal sales from that pineapple plaque. You can hang it indoors or outdoors—and makes a great Welcome sign for your front door.
Since them I have carved several other Pineapple wall plaques, door toppers and tables. Pineapples are so graceful that they look beautiful as a door topper. I have also carved Pineapples with bamboo and rattan accents which make these Pineapple plaques perfect for any tropical décor.
Pineapple door topper by Al Pisano. Made in USA
I also made a Hospitality Clock that features a Pineapple in the center and an antique plaster finish. If you are decorating with a Pineapple theme, the plaques and clocks and tables that I have created are a great way to extend the Pineapple Hospitality theme around your house.
Pineapple clock by Al Pisano. Made in USA
All of our pieces are made proudly here in the USA. Please contact me if you have any comments or questions! AL
