ra-Rare 1970s "Al Saudi Banque" Paris Heavy Boardroom Sign – Top Artifact - Sign - Plywood

02
days
15
hours
49
minutes
02
seconds
Current bid
€ 3
No reserve price
Ashley Calvert
Expert
Selected by Ashley Calvert

He has 15 years of experience trading 20th century glass and antiques.

Estimate  € 3,100 - € 3,500
FR
€3
ES
€2
IT
€1

Catawiki Buyer Protection

Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details

Trustpilot 4.4 | 142645 reviews

Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.

Rare 1970s Al Saudi Banque Paris heavy boardroom sign in green with gold Arabic calligraphy and Latin script, manufactured in France, made of brass and plywood, 56 cm high by 45.7 cm wide, 3.5 cm thick, 14 kg, original/official, in good condition.

AI-assisted summary

Description from the seller

Al Saudi Banque Paris — Boardroom Sign Listing Data
Listing Title: Ultra-Rare 1970s "Al Saudi Banque" Paris Heavy Executive Boardroom Sign – Sourced in France / Shipping from Belgium – Financial Heritage Artifact
Target Reserve Price: € 2,750.00
Description & Historical Context
Up for auction/sale is a museum-grade piece of modern Middle Eastern and European financial history. This is an original, architectural heavy-duty executive wall panel from the prestigious Al Saudi Banque, founded in Paris in 1976 (Avenue George V) and closed permanently in 1988.
This institution stood at the absolute heart of the early Euro-Arab petrodollar boom, making this corporate sign an incredibly rare and elite relic of 20th-century banking heritage.
Provenance & History
This specific executive piece was sourced and acquired in France, directly linking it to the bank’s historic Paris headquarters and elite operations during the height of its power. Corporate artifacts from this historic institution are virtually non-existent today, making this French-sourced survivor an exceptional piece of financial history (Bancaria).
Historical Rarity & Significance
The Al Saudi Banque was a highly exclusive "boutique bank" catering strictly to the absolute elite during the early Euro-Arab petrodollar boom. It was only the second bank in world history to be fully owned by Saudi royal and private elite shareholders outside of Saudi Arabia itself (the first having opened shortly before in London). This makes the bank unique; it was one of the very few places in Europe where immense oil revenues were directly managed.
Because the bank operated almost exclusively from its ultra-secure, prestigious headquarters on Avenue George V in Paris—with only small administrative and registration setups in London and Bahrain—this institution never operated a public network of high-street branches.




Consequently, it is estimated that only 3 to 5 of these heavy, hand-finished boardroom signs were ever produced for the bank's private executive meeting rooms. Following the permanent closure in 1988, virtually all corporate assets and interior furnishings were destroyed or lost, making this French-sourced survivor potentially the only remaining example in existence today.
Key Architectural Features
• Visuals & Aesthetics: Stunning deep emerald green high-gloss finish (the official national color of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) featuring beautiful, hand-finished golden Arabic calligraphy (البنك السعودي) and Latin script ("Al Saudi Banque").
• Premium Craftsmanship: Built to the highest corporate boardroom standards. The panel is encased in a solid, gold-toned heavy metal frame and secured to a thick, robust plywood architectural backing plate with its original vintage hardware.
• Dimensions: Height: 56.0 cm | Width: 45.7 cm | Thickness: 3.5 cm
• Condition: Excellent vintage condition. It possesses a beautiful, authentic patina that perfectly highlights its 40+ year history. Solid, structurally sound, and ready for premier wall mounting.
A magnificent centerpiece for elite corporate offices, private libraries, or high-end collectors of Saudi heritage, rare signs, and financial history.
Shipping & Handling Information
• Dispatch Location: Shipping worldwide from Belgium.
• Packaging: Due to the substantial weight and historical value of this panel, it will be packed with premium, professional-grade crating. It will be wrapped in multiple layers of heavy-duty bubble wrap and secured in a reinforced box to guarantee absolute safety during transit.
• Carrier: Shipped via fully insured, trackable express courier (FedEx / DHL / UPS).

Al Saudi Banque Paris — Boardroom Sign Listing Data
Listing Title: Ultra-Rare 1970s "Al Saudi Banque" Paris Heavy Executive Boardroom Sign – Sourced in France / Shipping from Belgium – Financial Heritage Artifact
Target Reserve Price: € 2,750.00
Description & Historical Context
Up for auction/sale is a museum-grade piece of modern Middle Eastern and European financial history. This is an original, architectural heavy-duty executive wall panel from the prestigious Al Saudi Banque, founded in Paris in 1976 (Avenue George V) and closed permanently in 1988.
This institution stood at the absolute heart of the early Euro-Arab petrodollar boom, making this corporate sign an incredibly rare and elite relic of 20th-century banking heritage.
Provenance & History
This specific executive piece was sourced and acquired in France, directly linking it to the bank’s historic Paris headquarters and elite operations during the height of its power. Corporate artifacts from this historic institution are virtually non-existent today, making this French-sourced survivor an exceptional piece of financial history (Bancaria).
Historical Rarity & Significance
The Al Saudi Banque was a highly exclusive "boutique bank" catering strictly to the absolute elite during the early Euro-Arab petrodollar boom. It was only the second bank in world history to be fully owned by Saudi royal and private elite shareholders outside of Saudi Arabia itself (the first having opened shortly before in London). This makes the bank unique; it was one of the very few places in Europe where immense oil revenues were directly managed.
Because the bank operated almost exclusively from its ultra-secure, prestigious headquarters on Avenue George V in Paris—with only small administrative and registration setups in London and Bahrain—this institution never operated a public network of high-street branches.




Consequently, it is estimated that only 3 to 5 of these heavy, hand-finished boardroom signs were ever produced for the bank's private executive meeting rooms. Following the permanent closure in 1988, virtually all corporate assets and interior furnishings were destroyed or lost, making this French-sourced survivor potentially the only remaining example in existence today.
Key Architectural Features
• Visuals & Aesthetics: Stunning deep emerald green high-gloss finish (the official national color of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) featuring beautiful, hand-finished golden Arabic calligraphy (البنك السعودي) and Latin script ("Al Saudi Banque").
• Premium Craftsmanship: Built to the highest corporate boardroom standards. The panel is encased in a solid, gold-toned heavy metal frame and secured to a thick, robust plywood architectural backing plate with its original vintage hardware.
• Dimensions: Height: 56.0 cm | Width: 45.7 cm | Thickness: 3.5 cm
• Condition: Excellent vintage condition. It possesses a beautiful, authentic patina that perfectly highlights its 40+ year history. Solid, structurally sound, and ready for premier wall mounting.
A magnificent centerpiece for elite corporate offices, private libraries, or high-end collectors of Saudi heritage, rare signs, and financial history.
Shipping & Handling Information
• Dispatch Location: Shipping worldwide from Belgium.
• Packaging: Due to the substantial weight and historical value of this panel, it will be packed with premium, professional-grade crating. It will be wrapped in multiple layers of heavy-duty bubble wrap and secured in a reinforced box to guarantee absolute safety during transit.
• Carrier: Shipped via fully insured, trackable express courier (FedEx / DHL / UPS).

Details

Era
1900-2000
Wood type
Plywood
Number of objects
1
Title
ra-Rare 1970s "Al Saudi Banque" Paris Heavy Boardroom Sign – Top Artifact
Country of origin
France
Material
Brass, Wood
Style
Vintage
Colour
Green
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes
Height
56 cm
Width
45.7 cm
Weight
14 kg
Estimated period
1970-1980
Qualification
Original/official
BelgiumVerified
New
on Catawiki
Private

Similar objects

  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​

For you in

Vintage & Industrial Furniture

  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​