19th century French café sign ...
Located in Brecht, BE
a unique find, a 19th century sign from a French café "Les Bons Amis" which means "Best friends
Antique 19th Century French Signs
Glass, Pine
19th century French café sign ...
Located in Brecht, BE
a unique find, a 19th century sign from a French café "Les Bons Amis" which means "Best friends
Glass, Pine
French La Belle Époque Lighted Bistro Cafe Sign
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic double sided bistro cafe metal sign from France's La Belle Époque period. Features a
Metal
1950’s Enamel and Neon Corner Sign Cafe
Located in Chicago, IL
1950’s enamel and neon corner Cafe sign. It has new transformer and wiring. Please note that there
Enamel
'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
Glass, Acrylic
$577
H 17.92 in W 20.28 in D 0.08 in
Antique Hand Painted Double-Sided French Cafe Wall Trade Sign. c.1920
Located in London, GB
A mid-20th century hand painted French trade sign. c.1940 Double sided French trade sign for CAFES
Metal
$450
H 8 in W 15.75 in D 1.25 in
Mid-20th Century French Enameled Metal Sign for Cafe San Rivo in Sao Paulo
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This mid-twentieth century red and white enameled metal sign is double faced and promotes the Cafe
Metal
Advertising Mirror “Crawford’s Delightful Biscuits” Baker or Cafe
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
“Crawford’s Delightful Biscuits” baker/cafe advertising mirror This is a good piece the bevelled
Mirror
French cafe sign and bar sign
Located in New York, NY
two signs bar and cafe same style
Metal
1950s Modern French Wall Sign for Coffee
By Rob Otten
Located in Retie, BE
1950s French wall sign for coffee. Great wall decoration in modern style; a sign in bright blue
Other
1930s Double Sided Neon Sign CAFE
Located in Chicago, IL
1930s double sided Neon Sign CAFE. It has new wiring and new transformer. Length with bracket 58.5".
Metal
Hand Painted Double Sided French Cafe Sign
Located in Nijmegen, NL
Hand painted French cafe sign made from metal
Metal
Original 1950's Route 66 Neon Café Sign
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
An original Route 66 double sided neon CAFE sign in its original paint, circa 1950.
Tin
Early 20th Century Vibrant Yellow Original French Cafe Sign
Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex
Vibrant original French yellow cafe sign, hand painted on wood. Signed. Expected wear and patina
Wood
Sold
H 35.5 in W 24 in D 0.25 in
Rare Antique Two Sided Painted Metal French Cafe Sign with Horse & Rider
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A rare & charming antique French cafe sign with horse and rider, flag and oval plaque, finished on
Metal
1930's English Pressed Steel Café Signs - Set Of Three
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1930’s English Pressed Steel Café Signs – Set Of Three. One of the best things we have found this
Sheet Metal
Sold
H 36.5 in W 1 in D 48 in
Large Early 20th Century French Double Sided Painted Iron Cafe Sign with Bracket
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This very large early 20th century French hand-painted iron cafe sign is double faced and is
Iron
Pair of French Kitchen or Cafe Boards /Signs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This pair of original hand painted French painted cafe signs or pantry signs are copies of 19th
Wood
Sold
H 17 in W 1 in D 26 in
Rare Early 20th Century French Hand-Painted Double Faced Iron Cafe Martin Sign
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This double faced hand-painted black and white cafe sign from the early twentieth century
Iron
Mid-20th Century Large Original Cafe Epicerie Sign
Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex
Large original untouched French Cafe and Epicerie sign, expected wear and patina, France, circa
Wood
Early 20th Century Original Painted "Cafe Maurice" Sign
Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex
Original, untouched double sided trade sign for Cafe Maurice. Wonderful Blue original Paint, wall
Sheet Metal
Late 19th Century French Cafe de la Mairie Sign
Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex
Original double sided heavy gauge sheet metal sign with original fixing points. Cafe de la Mairie
Iron
French Cafe Signboard
Located in London, GB
A French Cafe signboard, painted on pinewood, early twentieth century, Available to view at
Sold
H 42 in W 9 in D 2 in
Large Paris Cafe Trophies or Appliqué Bistro Trade Signs with Giltwood Seafood
Located in Nashville, TN
Probably displayed in some cafe or bistro window or door atrium announcing seafood served within
Wood
Old Painted Metal "Cafe" Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Old painted metal "Cafe" sign from the Midwest, early 1920s.
Metal
Art Deco Double Sided / Illuminated "CAFE" sign, , stunning blue
Located in Buffalo, NY
Art Deco Super Stylized Double Sided / Illuminated "CAFE" sign,, stunning blue screen , mesh
Metal, Steel
Sold
H 7 in W 14 in D 3 in
Unusual Diminutive 1920's Hand Painted Light -Up reversible DRUGS / CAFE sign.
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual Diminutive 1920's Hand Painted Light -Up reversible DRUGS / CAFE sign. Great little sign
Metal
French Painted Cafe Sign, circa 1890
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large painted wood panel sign from a cafe in Lyon. A unique piece for decorative wall art.
Wood
Cafe Sign
Located in Spokane, WA
Metal cafe sign. Perfect industrial look for your decor.
Metal
Rustic Cafe Sign
Located in Spokane, WA
Original Cafe sign with added wood backing
Metal
1950s Porcelain Neon "Cafe" Sign
Located in Chicago, IL
1950's Porcelain Neon CAFE Sign. New neon and new wiring.
Enamel, Metal
Exceptional Vertical Enamel Cafe Sign
Located in Round Top, TX
Enamel cafe sign with light sockets and a new mounting bracket.
Enamel, Iron
Vintage Large Enamel Lighted Cafe Sign
By Federal Electric Company
Located in Charleston, SC
Gorgeous cobalt blue and white enamel cafe sign. Height given is without the hanging arms. The
1950's Metal Painted Advertising Cafe Sign
Located in 3 Oaks, MI
Large and graphic hand painted "Dinners and Short Orders" cafe sign. Great beaten surface with a
1930's Double Sided Neon Can " CAFE " Sign
Located in Chicago, IL
1930's double sided neon can " CAFE " sign. In working condition.
Steel
Café Sign
Located in Damariscotta, ME
This sculptural sign is cut from metal in the shape of a tea or coffee pot. It has painted green
Double Sided Red Neon "Cafe" Sign
Located in Portland, OR
It's always a good time to eat with this vintage Cafe sign.The original paint and construction are
CAFE SIGN
Located in Solebury, PA
"CAFE" SIGN IN OLD ORIGINAL PAINT. GREAT GRAPHICS AMD WONDERFUL COLORS.
Wood
French Cafe Sign
Located in Dallas, TX
Sign from the Cafe Duminil Fontaine. A wonderful painting of a horse's head above a horseshoe
Metal
Vintage Lighted CAFE Sign
Located in Hudson, NY
This sign is just the right size for any kitchen wall. The four sheet metal channel letters are
Steel, Aluminum
Large Espresso Cafe Sign
Located in Seattle, WA
Double-sided ESPRESS0 sign which once hung in a small-town Washington state coffee shop. Dark
Wood
1920's Light Up " Cafe " Sign
Located in Chicago, IL
Original American 1920's light up sign " Cafe". Hand made by Art Kraft Company.
Metal
Illuminating Double Sided French Cafe Sign
Located in San Francisco, CA
Straight to the point: CAFE ! That is the most welcomed sign when in quest of a little caffeine
Gilt Zinc and Wood Cafe Sign
Located in New York, NY
Metal letters attached to wooden frame.
Wood
1930's Art Deco Hanging Double Sided " Cafe " Can Sign
Located in Chicago, IL
1930's Art Deco double sided neon can " Cafe " sign. The neon in working condition.
Steel
Of All the Gin Joints...
Located in San Francisco, CA
A brilliant hand carved cafe sign from Morocco. The second panel says the same thing in Arabic
Wood
1930s Belgian Beer Sign for Cherry Beer Lambic
Located in Retie, BE
- Wall Decoration - Pub Decoration - Art Deco Signs - Kitchen Decoration - Interior Decoration - Cafe
Tin
Motel Cafe Painted Sign
Located in Seattle, WA
Rural eastern Montana-origin painted roadside sign for a motel and cafe on the Highline (US Highway
Cafe "Egg Salad" Sign
Located in Culver City, CA
and all for 75cents in Los Angeles today... Even though the sign relates to another time and another
Paper, Glass
Vintage "CAFE" Illuminated Porcelain Sign
Located in LAS VEGAS, NV
Vintage "CAFE" illuminated porcelain sign. Made by Federal Electric Co, Chicago. Stands 110" tall
Metal
Vintage "Les Cafes" Double Sided Sign
Located in Houston, TX
vintage, French, double sided sign with custom steel wall mount
Steel
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
Late 1800s French Hand-Painted Wood Sign "Cafe Du Regal"
Located in Chicago, IL
Late 1800s French hand-painted wood sign "Cafe Du Regal". Original paint.
Wood
French painted metal tabac/cafe/epicerie trade sign, c. 1900-20
Located in Norwalk, CT
French painted metal tabac/cafe/epicerie (groceries) trade sign, c. 1900-20 from Nibas, a commune
Sold
H 35.25 in W 72 in D 4.75 in
Frenchy's Cafe Short Orders Metal Sign with Marquee Bulbs, a Piece of Americana
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Great sign with the perfect amount of patina, color and charm. Original neon is gone, but instead
Steel
Two-Sided Neon Coffee Shop Sign, circa 1940s
Located in Portland, OR
A fantastic relic of Mid-Century neon, this double-sided sign features a brown and yellow-painted
Vintage Brass CAFE Sign
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage brass CAFE sign. Four individual letters. Original patina. Each letter has hanging hooks on
Brass
1930s Frenchy's Cafe Sign with Marquee Bulbs, Perfect Patina
Located in Minneapolis, MN
café sign recollects the graphic advertising of the mid-20th century in its use of bold sans serif
Steel
Original Cafe Bistro Sign
Located in Round Top, TX
Original Cafe Bistro sign. Fantastic looking with incredible paint and patina. Great condition.
Iron
Antique American Light Up Tin Sign "Cafe Bakery"
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique American light up tin sign "Cafe Bakery." Newly rewired.
Tin
$23,400 / set
H 28.35 in W 24.41 in D 21.66 in
Gianni Moscatelli Dining Chairs for Formanova, 1968, Set of 12
By Formanova, Gianni Moscatelli
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gianni Moscatelli dining chairs for Formanova, faux-fur and iron, Italy, 1968, set of twelve. These chairs represent timeless items designed by Gianni Moscatelli for Formanova in th...
Metal
$1,810
H 28.27 in W 71.46 in D 13.27 in
1950s Japanese vintage solid wood rectangular open shelf unit wabi sabi japandi
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
New finds from a residence in Ibaraki pref., Japan. This vintage, open back rectangular shelving unit was manufactured in circa 1950s to 70s, estimate from the style & material. Mad...
Wood, Hardwood
1958 Danish Teak Royal Cado Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Highly versatile and functional Cado wall unit in walnut by Danish designer Poul Cadovius. We currently have many different Cado pieces in stock and can customize your order to incl...
Teak
Large LUhans Indoor Outdoor Sconce
By Lumfardo Luminaires
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Part of our Lumfardo Luminaries contemporary collection, this larger version LUhans patinated un-lacquered copper indoor outdoor sconce is inspired by Scandinavian mid-century design...
Copper
$116,903
H 100.5 in W 151.25 in D 5 in
18th Century Painted Six Panelled Screen Depicting an European Landscape
Located in London, GB
A six panelled screen of the late Baroque period Oil on canvas, depicting a panoramic view of a Capriccio north European landscape, perhaps Schlesweig-Holstein, with distant views o...
Canvas, Paint
Japanese Old Iron Block 1950s-1970s / Display stand Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old Japanese iron block, estimated to have been made in the early Showa period (1950s–1970s). At the time, it was used in ironworks as an anvil or workbench. Decades of us...
Iron
$2,400 / set
H 19.5 in W 38 in D 16 in
Pair of Vintage Fret Chinese Chippendale Faux Bamboo Wood Benches End of Bed
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of vintage wood faux bamboo bench. Upholstery is original and will absolutely need to be recovered. May have stains, holes, dirt and indents to foam cushion interior from stacki...
Wood, Faux Bamboo
Belgian pottery vase with cranes Catteau Boch Freres Enameled circa 1939
By Boch Freres Keramis
Located in New York City, NY
Belgian Boch Freres Keramis faience art pottery vase "Grues" depicting cranes feeding in a marsh. Tri-colored with enameled decoration of cranes and flowers amidst a buff matte terra...
Pottery
Cat Brass Ashtray or Bowl
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
1950 vintage cat brass ashtray or bowl. This can be used as a sculpture too.
Brass
Art Deco Walnut Display Cabinet circa 1930s
By Harry & Lou Epstein Furniture Co
Located in Dereham, GB
Art Deco Walnut Display Cabinet circa 1930s Stepped shaped top, Glazed Centre door with working lock & key, Open to Reveal: Mirror back , 3 plate glass adjustable shelves Pair pane...
Walnut
Mondo Modern Coffee Table in Maple
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This Modern Coffee Table is made in the heart of Ohio with locally sourced wood. Each table is hand-made with mitered corners from white oak veneer and finished with a beautiful matt...
Maple
Ralph Lauren Zebra Couch
Located in Munich, DE
Make a bold statement with the Ralph Lauren Zebra Couch. Featuring a striking zebra print, this luxurious piece combines timeless elegance with modern flair, perfect for adding a tou...
Fabric, Wood
$268,190
H 57 in W 30 in D 31.5 in
One-of-a-kind 1851 Great Exhibition Carved Armchair by Arthur Jones of Dublin
Located in London, GB
*Winner of the 2022 Masterpiece Fair Furniture Highlight* The 1851 Great Exhibition Carved Bog Yew Armchair by Arthur Jones of Dublin Carved entirely from Irish bog yew wood, ...
Upholstery, Yew
Mid-Century Modern Corner Sofa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique two-piece sectional sofa features vintage vinyl upholstery and a sturdy American walnut frame. Each piece features one brass studded sculpted armrest, can be placed side ...
Walnut, Faux Leather
Three Ring Ikebana Vase Made by Toyo, Japan, circa 1960s
By Toyo
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Three ring ikebana vase made by Toyo, Japan, circa 1960s.
Ceramic
Czechoslovakian Glazed Earthenware Pitcher by Amphora, circa 1918-1939
By Amphora
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A Czechoslovakian glazed earthenware pitcher by Amphora, circa 1918-1939, incised enameled pottery blue background and floral stylized decorated. Opposite curve handle and spout, the...
Earthenware
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.