Antique Danish Hand Carved Pretzel Bakery Sign
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Traditional antique Scandinavian or Danish bakery sign having carved wooden pretzel topped with a metal crown.
Metal, Iron
Early Danish Double Sided Neon Bakery Sign
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is a traditional sign used for a Danish Bakery. The quality of construction is amazing including a tapered crown and heavy materials.
Steel
$696Sale Price|30% Off
1920s French Pâtissiers Metal Bakery Sign, Vintage Early 20th Century
Located in High Point, NC
This 1920s French Patron Pâtissiers metal bakery sign is a charming relic of early 20th-century Parisian craftsmanship.
Metal
Vintage Large Wooden “Bakery” Trade Sign
Located in Dekalb, IL
Large hand-crafted wooden storefront sign featuring raised block letters reading BAKERY across a shaped gilt panel.
Wood
HOVIS, Etched Glass Bakery Advertising Window Sign
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
HOVIS, Etched Glass Bakery Advertising Window Sign A great piece of social history, this is a window, the old sash type, the glass is etched and painted in gold and white with “HO...
Art Glass
French 1920s Bakery Sign
Located in New York, NY
French 1920's Boulangerie Patisserie sign.
Bakery Sign
Located in Surrey, BC
Painted, wood bakery sign, hand scripted in gold paint
Wood
Painted Sign
Located in Surrey, BC
Guilded bread sign from Bakery
Wood, Paint
19th Century Danish Pretzel Bakery Sign On Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
A 19th century baker's pretzel shop sign from Denmark, mounted on custom iron Stand.
Metal, Iron
Antique English Southampton England Bakery Sign
Located in New York, NY
Antique English Southampton Bakery Sign Wood with Original Paint Iron Frame Detail English, Victorian Southampton in Hampshire, England
Wood
1900's Tin Light Up Cafe Bakery Sign
Located in Chicago, IL
1900's original American tin light up Cafe Bakery sign. In working condition.
Tin, Metal
Sold
H 25 in W 115 in D 4 in
Antique French Boulangerie Bakery Shop Sign with Individual Metal Letters
Located in Houston, TX
Antique Boulangerie bakery shop signage from France in a beautiful cream metal.
Metal
Antique French Patisserie Shop Sign with Individual Metal Letters
Located in Houston, TX
Please see our other listings for the matching Boulangerie bakery shop sign.
Metal
Antique American Light Up Tin Sign "Cafe Bakery"
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique American light up tin sign "Cafe Bakery." Newly rewired.
Tin
Sign of Painted Glass in the Window of a Diner, Coffee Shop or Bakery
Located in Madison, WI
Sign painted on frosted glass once hung in the window of a hometown diner or local coffee shop or famed bakery.
Leather, Glass, Wood, Paint
Nautical Folk Art Hand Carved Wooden Whimsy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
American whimsy with traditional 'ball in cage' decoration, all carved and whittled from one continuous piece of wood, circa early 20th century. The bottom tip suggests that this pie...
Wood
Vintage Enameled Advertising Sign Berliet
Located in Vienna, AT
Original vintage "Berliet" advertising enamel sign, made in France in the 1930s. Dimension: 65 x 42 cm.
Steel
French Hand-Painted Sign Board, Cross Shape Sign, France, 1950s
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
A striking hand-painted wooden sign from France. Shaped as a cross and detailed with elegant white lettering, it showcases the craftsmanship and graphic sensibility typical of mid-ce...
Wood
$5,095Sale Price|50% Off
H 32.49 in W 32.29 in D 1.97 in L 32.49 in
French 18th Century Forged Iron Folk Art Baroque Tavern Sign
Located in Buisson, FR
Important and beautiful 18th century Tavern sign depicting a rearing white horse with a crowned coat of arms on its back. Most likely from the Alsace, France due to the German influe...
Iron
Vintage Double-Sided Bar Directional Advertising Sign
Located in Dekalb, IL
Double-sided hand-painted plywood advertising sign directing patrons to a downstairs bar. The stepped Art Deco-inspired profile features the phrases "DOWNSTAIRS BAR IS OPEN," "TO LAD...
Wood, Paint
$3,950
H 13 in W 26.78 in D 6.3 in
Vintage Retro Mid Century French Neon Illuminated Butchers Display Sign, c.1950
Located in London, GB
An incredibly rare French neon butchers trade sign. c.1950. A characterful hanging neon sign from a French butcher’s shop, its metal body finished in a flocked‑velvet coating that h...
Aluminum, Brass
$548Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.88 in W 19.69 in D 3.94 in
Swedish Folk Art Hand-Carved Wooden Candelabra, 1940s
Located in Karis, Nyland
A rare Swedish five-arm candelabra, handmade from solid wood in the 1940s. The design blends folk tradition and modernist sculpture - its bold silhouette and rhythmic surface carving...
Wood
1960s English Carnival Sign
Located in High Point, NC
1960s carnival art sign from England. It is advertising a cake walk on one side of the sign, and on the back has a charming message "Have a nice Victorian day". Great sign for any co...
Wood
British Crown & Anchor Iron Hanging Tavern or Pub Sign
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A rare hanging British "Crown and Anchor" pub or tavern sign constructed out of iron and wood. The sign is crafted with a forged iron frame having two hanging loops. The sign feature...
Iron
19th Century Rustic English Private Land Owners Trespassers Sign
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th century rustic private land owners trespassers sign This sign is made in elm with metal lettering set in relief it says Notice No road Trespassers Wil Be prosecuted By...
Wood
Antique Wooden Springerle Mold Hand-Carved, German Folk Art, 1870s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A charming 19th-century wooden mold, dating to the 1870s or earlier. It is hand-carved from solid wood, reflecting the craftsmanship and utilitarian beauty of traditional kitchen too...
Wood
American Wrought Iron and Gilt Trade Sign Bracket , Circa 1880
Located in Charleston, SC
American wrought iron and gilt trade sign bracket with decorative scroll work and gilt ball motif. Late 19th Century
Antique "Groceries" Hand-Painted Wooden Storefront Sign
Located in Dekalb, IL
Reclaimed wood sign with tin endcaps. This piece is comprised of (likely) hickory was also likely reclaimed from an unused barn during wartime when all typically-available materials...
Wood, Hickory, Paint
19Thc Hand Carved Dough Board
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic 19thc bread board with a handle and mortised in the back side.Found in the state of Maine.The board is in fine condition.
Wood
$556Sale Price|30% Off
H 29 in W 22 in D 3.5 in
Large Vintage Neon Marquee Letter "V" From Pan-Pacific Auditorium
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Own a piece of Los Angeles history. This large neon marquee letter "V" comes from the interior of the iconic Pan-Pacific Auditorium in Los Angeles and was removed in 1986. Each lette...
Steel
'Donuts Cafe' Neon Sign, 1990s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A lovely vintage neon sign that reads Donuts Cafe, perfect for adding a nostalgic touch to your space. Taken down from a Los Angeles restaurant on Hollywood Blvd. This little sign fe...
Glass, Acrylic
Rosso Glass Wall Mirror
By Specchi Veneziani
Located in Milan, IT
Crafted in the finest Murano tradition, this exquisite Venetian mirror is a true work of art. Assembled with crystal and gold elements, and adorned with red glass flowers, each piece...
Glass
Folk Art Sign
Located in London, GB
An Edwardian Folk Art sign with overscale finger, insribed ‘Left Luggage’.
Hardwood
$1,250
H 12.13 in W 48 in D 1 in
Vintage Mid Century Hand Painted Wooden Luncheonette Hot Coffee Diner Sign
Located in Milford, NH
A vintage polychrome hand painted luncheonette or diner sign on plywood featuring hot coffee, sandwiches, and tonics, signed lower right Cooley-Alton, with an additional support boar...
Plywood
'COME ON IN' Neon Sign , 1990s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom neon sign with aluminum channel cut letters. COME ON IN, lights up with green neon gas. Just under 6 feet long. Welcoming sign and fun piece of art. Glass in great condition....
Aluminum
Early 20th Century Reverse-Painted IOOF Skull and Bones Glass Sign
Located in Dekalb, IL
Early 1900s; Independent Order of Odd Fellows This reverse-painted glass "Caution" sign comes with the scull and crossbone, a symbol of mortality to the fraternity, and a reminder o...
Glass, Wood
Müller Bar Cabinet in Metal
By Müller Möbelfabrikation
Located in Tilburg, NL
Müller Bar Cabinet in Metal. Germany. Design 1998, current production. Available in every RAL-color. A highlight for your office or your home: The cleverly designed bar cabinet KB 3...
Metal
1920's -30's Hand Painted "DRUGS" wood sign
Located in Buffalo, NY
1920's -30's Hand Painted "DRUGS" wood sign ... Great old sign,, Tons of character,, Retains original finish / patina..
Wood, Paint
$5,600
H 38 in W 112 in D 8 in
Rare 1920's can "Drugs" Sign /Arrow, LIGHT UP milk glass letters, double sided
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare 1920's can "Drugs" Sign /Arrow, LIGHT UP milk glass letters, double sided,, Pre-dates NEON,, Truly amazing sign,, Salvaged from an old Pharmacist,, apparently hung outside (late...
Metal, Cut Steel
$2,093 / set
H 9.85 in W 20.48 in D 1.19 in
Antique Industrial Art Deco Brass Ladies & Gents Toilet Illuminated Sign, C.1920
Located in London, GB
A stunning pair of illuminated glass toilet signs made in England by Burnham & Co, Deptford. c.1920 These original Art Deco-era signs feature solid brass frames with their origina...
Brass
Early 20th Century Cigar Box with ROG Foil Lettering
Located in Dekalb, IL
Antique wooden retailers cigar box. This unique piece likely dates back to the late Victorian period. It features all-mahogany construction and four interior storage compartments. A...
Glass, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Pharmacy Sign 'DRUGS' Painted on a Single Board
Located in Nantucket, MA
American folk art trade sign from an apothecary or pharmacy with the word 'DRUGS' in black paint with white shadow lines on an orange ground. Painted on a single pine plank with notc...
Pine, Paint
$59,546Sale Price|20% Off
H 104.34 in W 153.55 in D 19.69 in
Antique Pharmacy Cabinet, Walnut Bookcases and Glass Doors with Sign, '800 Italy
Located in Cuneo, Italy (CN)
Complete antique pharmacy cabinet, with 3 open bookcases on the sides, 1 bookcase with drawers and 2 original doors with glass and enameled mirror sign. Built in the mid-19th century...
Glass, Walnut
$1,296Sale Price|20% Off
H 22 in W 20.5 in D 2 in
Early 20th century double sided English chemist sign
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century double sided English chemist sign Made from double sided glass with reflective silver illuminated text, this early 20th century example of an English chemist tra...
Metal
Wood Framed Glass Two-Sided Electric Sign, circa 1930
Located in Surrey, BC
This is a very rare one of a kind automotive collector item. Cantilevered cast iron sign for Brighton Garage. Two-sided, electrified sign with its lettering reverse-painted on glass...
Iron
$14,000
H 67 in W 29 in D 29 in
Life-Size Mannequin Attributed to Francois-Pierre Guillois, Late 18th Century
Located in Peekskill, NY
There hasn't been much information regarding this particular type of lay figure, indeed these are exceptionally rare, until fairly recently since the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge ...
Wood
Old School 1940's / 50's NEON "MOTEL" Sign..Classic Font
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic vintage NEON "MOTEL" sign salvaged from a motel in Niagara Falls Canada,, Retains original finish & patina,, New transformer, metal replaced to bottom of can,, (see photo)
Metal
Vintage and antique signs are popular collector’s items loved not only for the charm and pops of color they add to a space but also for the unique story each one has to tell. An interesting sign can help set the mood for a room and spark dozens of lively conversations.
Before and during the 18th century, many European peasants and colonists in the Americas couldn’t read, so shopkeepers, in an effort to promote their goods and services, hung trade signs with limited amounts of text.
Indeed, symbols and representational physical objects comprised early-day advertising efforts. In lieu of painted words on a wooden board, trade signs made use of handmade three-dimensional symbols to indicate the function of the shop. The iconic red, white and blue pole could be found outside barbershops, while a figural trade sign mounted to an apothecary’s storefront might be a mortar and pestle sculpted from bronze in order to indicate to passers-by that inside there were apothecary cabinets full of remedies for common ailments and a druggist to carefully dispense them.
As literacy rates improved, signs evolved into rectangular, round or square shapes that featured text. Short and sweet, early iterations were characterized by a mere few words, such as “tavern,” “boarding room” or “apothecary.”
During the 19th century, proprietors endeavored to render their signs more appealing. This meant the introduction of more color, font types and other pictorial representations. After the Civil War ended, logos, branding and advertising became increasingly more important, and the design of signage evolved. Trade signs were still in use during the 20th century, and you will likely find hand-painted tin eyeglasses for an optometrist’s office or an oversize bowling pin that likely had a home in the front window of a bowling alley.
Today, collectors and art aficionados alike collect and display antique and vintage signs. Old signs hearken back to a long-gone era, infusing any interior with warmth and nostalgia.
A vintage sign can help anchor a room — think of decorating with signs as you would arranging any kind of wall art. A large-scale sign in particular can prove a distinguishing feature in a living room or dining room, a focal point so prominent that it might lessen the burden of introducing any additional decorative elements to this particular space. Smaller signs work wonders too — pepper sparsely decorated corners with small colorful signs or add a humorous or graphic element to your gallery-style hang with a small text-based sign or two.
On 1stDibs, find metal, wood and glass antique and vintage signs that span a number of styles, including mid-century modern, industrial and folk art.
At Waddesdon Manor, artist Joana Vasconcelos has installed a three-tiered patisserie inspired by the narrative tile work of her homeland. We take a look at the cake sculpture and how Portuguese tiles have been used in architecture from the 17th century to today.
The streets of fin-de-siècle Paris were set aglow with colorful poster ads, thanks to the printing techniques invented by Jules Chéret. Now, the Milwaukee Art Museum is celebrating this undersung talent in America's first solo show dedicated his exuberant works.
Expert Jeff Bridgman explains the history and meaning behind the twinkling constellations that have graced Old Glory.
The iconoclastic style setter displayed African and Oceanic art, as well as works by indigenous peoples of the Americas, alongside pieces by such major modernists as Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollock.
Perfect for July 4th weekend, a new show at Philadelphia's Museum of the American Revolution displays an array of antique red, white and blue flags.
Designers are beginning to see this enigmatic form of folk art in a whole new light.