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Important Folk Art Trade Sign
Important Folk Art Trade Sign

Important Folk Art Trade Sign

$10,320Sale Price|20% Off

Important Folk Art Trade Sign

Located in Greenwich, CT

A mid 19th Century folk art trade sign of demilune form, depicting a Native American chief holding

Category

Antique 19th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Wood

Vintage School Crossing Safety Guard Folk Art Trade Sign
Vintage School Crossing Safety Guard Folk Art Trade Sign

Vintage School Crossing Safety Guard Folk Art Trade Sign

Located in Santa Monica, CA

Original hand painted school safety crossing guard sign. Sheet metal and wood. Great original

Category

Vintage 1950s American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Sheet Metal

Early 20th Century Pharmacy Sign 'DRUGS' Painted on a Single Board
Early 20th Century Pharmacy Sign 'DRUGS' Painted on a Single Board

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

Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Pine, Paint

19th Century Folk Art Upholstery Trade Sign
19th Century Folk Art Upholstery Trade Sign

19th Century Folk Art Upholstery Trade Sign

Located in San Francisco, CA

Wonderful 19th century hand painted folk art upholstery trade sign. Double sided wooden trade sign

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Wood

Vintage American Folk Art Showroom Trade Sign
Vintage American Folk Art Showroom Trade Sign

Vintage American Folk Art Showroom Trade Sign

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Charming vintage wooden trade sign for Showroom. The sign was original painted in with green and

Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Wood, Paint

American Folk Art Workshop Wrench Wood Trade Sign
American Folk Art Workshop Wrench Wood Trade Sign

American Folk Art Workshop Wrench Wood Trade Sign

Located in Santa Monica, CA

yellow paint. Very sturdy and well made. Great industrial workshop turned folk art. The workhorse of an

Category

Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Iron

Early 20th Century Folk Art Zinc Barbers Pole Trade Sign
Early 20th Century Folk Art Zinc Barbers Pole Trade Sign

Early 20th Century Folk Art Zinc Barbers Pole Trade Sign

Located in London, GB

Early 20th century folk art zinc barbers pole trade sign. An early 20th century hand crafted

Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Signs

Materials

Zinc

Set of Three Folk Art Straight Edge Razor Trade Signs
Set of Three Folk Art Straight Edge Razor Trade Signs

Set of Three Folk Art Straight Edge Razor Trade Signs

Located in Stamford, CT

Three whimsical American folk carved wood art trade signs in the form of straight edge razors. Used

Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Wood

Antique Wrought Iron Welder's Trade Sign, Hand-Crafted Folk Art
Antique Wrought Iron Welder's Trade Sign, Hand-Crafted Folk Art

Antique Wrought Iron Welder's Trade Sign, Hand-Crafted Folk Art

Located in Montreal, QC

business in the creation of your project. Antique trade signs are captivating relics that offer a

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Canadian Folk Art Signs

Materials

Iron

Cigars Store / Trade Folk Art Wooden Carved Sign. c 1900
Cigars Store / Trade Folk Art Wooden Carved Sign. c 1900

Cigars Store / Trade Folk Art Wooden Carved Sign. c 1900

Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos

American Folk art wooden "CIGARS" sign from the 1920's. Great old Store Trade sign. Wood cut to

Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Wood

Pair of Cat Trade Signs
Pair of Cat Trade Signs

Pair of Cat Trade Signs

Located in Branford, CT

Incredible pair of cat trade signs. Braced plywood with red glass eyes. Original paint. They can

Category

Vintage 1930s North American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Plywood

19th Century Cobbler Trade Sign
19th Century Cobbler Trade Sign

19th Century Cobbler Trade Sign

Located in Nantucket, MA

A carved cobbler's boot-form trade sign, in old gold paint. Carved in two pieces of pine, capped

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Lead

1800s Skeleton Key Locksmith Trade Sign
1800s Skeleton Key Locksmith Trade Sign

1800s Skeleton Key Locksmith Trade Sign

Located in Peekskill, NY

This is one of the best locksmith trade signs we have offered. It’s early and all handmade in iron

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Folk Art Signs

Materials

Iron

19th Century, Apothecary Trade Sign
19th Century, Apothecary Trade Sign

19th Century, Apothecary Trade Sign

Located in Nantucket, MA

Figural trade sign in the form of a mortar and pestle, both the mortar and pestle are hand turned

Category

Antique Late 19th Century North American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Zinc

Framed 18th c. Merchant Trade Sign
Framed 18th c. Merchant Trade Sign

Framed 18th c. Merchant Trade Sign

Located in Greenwich, CT

A late 18th century/early 19th century trade sign from a Dutch West Indies shipping merchant. The

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Folk Art Signs

Materials

Wood

Holstein Milk Painted Metal Trade Sign
Holstein Milk Painted Metal Trade Sign

Holstein Milk Painted Metal Trade Sign

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This folky original painted hand made Holsteins Milk metal farm trade sign has the original chain

Category

20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Metal

Bull Head Trade Sign
Bull Head Trade Sign

Bull Head Trade Sign

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

19th Century bull head advertisement trade sign used in a hardware or butcher shop. Retains a

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Signs

Materials

Metal

Large French Toleware Glove Maker’s Shop Trade Sign
Large French Toleware Glove Maker’s Shop Trade Sign

Large French Toleware Glove Maker’s Shop Trade Sign

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

Large French Toleware Glove Maker’s Shop Trade Sign This is a very rare piece it is in good

Category

Antique Early 1900s Folk Art Signs

Materials

Tin

Model of Kissel Gold Bug Speedster, Trade Advertising Sign
Model of Kissel Gold Bug Speedster, Trade Advertising Sign

Model of Kissel Gold Bug Speedster, Trade Advertising Sign

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

Yellow Peril” A Fantastic Large piece, this superb 3D trade sign is made in wood, a fantastic larger

Category

Vintage 1930s Folk Art Signs

Materials

Plywood

Boucherie Chevaline Trade Sign
Boucherie Chevaline Trade Sign

Boucherie Chevaline Trade Sign

Located in London, GB

Boucherie Chevaline Trade Sign A hand crafted Boucherie Chevaline, zinc gold leaf hand beaten

Category

Early 20th Century French Victorian Signs

Materials

Zinc

Elkwood, Late 19th Century American Trade Sign
Elkwood, Late 19th Century American Trade Sign

Elkwood, Late 19th Century American Trade Sign

Located in Nantucket, MA

With carved gilt wood letters with mounted against a blue painted sand ground American, c. 1890.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Wood

"Health Chiropractic, " Rare Art Deco Metal Trade Sign for Chiropractor
"Health Chiropractic, " Rare Art Deco Metal Trade Sign for Chiropractor

"Health Chiropractic, " Rare Art Deco Metal Trade Sign for Chiropractor

Located in Philadelphia, PA

cast in aluminium and painted a shade of off-white. It has all the charm of classic Folk Art and

Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Signs

Materials

Aluminum

Arts and Crafts Copper Milliners Trade Sign. Copper Top Hat
Arts and Crafts Copper Milliners Trade Sign. Copper Top Hat

Arts and Crafts Copper Milliners Trade Sign. Copper Top Hat

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

Arts and Crafts Copper Milliners Trade Sign. Copper Top Hat This is an unusual piece, the Top Hat

Category

Vintage 1960s Folk Art Signs

Materials

Copper

Late 19th Century "Pocket Watch" Carved Wood Trade Sign
Late 19th Century "Pocket Watch" Carved Wood Trade Sign

Late 19th Century "Pocket Watch" Carved Wood Trade Sign

Located in Buffalo, NY

Late 19th Century "Pocket Watch" Carved Wood Trade Sign. Watch-makers / repairs sign.. Wonderful

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Wood

Shoe Shop or Cobblers Trade Sign, Leather Hob Nail Boot
Shoe Shop or Cobblers Trade Sign, Leather Hob Nail Boot

Shoe Shop or Cobblers Trade Sign, Leather Hob Nail Boot

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

Shoe Shop or Cobblers Trade Sign, Leather Hob Nail Boot This is a wonderful piece, made by a

Category

Antique Early 1900s Folk Art Signs

Materials

Leather

Monumental Cobblers Boot Trade Sign
Monumental Cobblers Boot Trade Sign

Monumental Cobblers Boot Trade Sign

Located in Staffordshire, GB

Monumental Cobblers Boot Trade Sign. Provenance: By Repute Crosby Cobblers - Liverpool Est 1841

Category

Early 20th Century British Signs

Materials

Metal, Brass

Zinc and Gold Horse Head Butchers Trade Sign Flemish 1860
Zinc and Gold Horse Head Butchers Trade Sign Flemish 1860

Zinc and Gold Horse Head Butchers Trade Sign Flemish 1860

Located in Hastings, GB

19th century Flemish gilt zinc horse head trade sign. This beautiful hand made sign was used by a

Category

Antique 1860s Belgian Folk Art Signs

Materials

Zinc

American Wrought Iron and Gilt Trade Sign Bracket , Circa 1880
American Wrought Iron and Gilt Trade Sign Bracket , Circa 1880

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

Category

Antique 1880s American Folk Art Signs

19th Century Gold Giltwood Carved Letters William Trade Sign
19th Century Gold Giltwood Carved Letters William Trade Sign

19th Century Gold Giltwood Carved Letters William Trade Sign

Located in Santa Monica, CA

Classic 19th century American wood trade sign with chunky hand carved and gold painted letters

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century Double Sided Metal Boot Makers Trade Sign
Early 20th Century Double Sided Metal Boot Makers Trade Sign

Early 20th Century Double Sided Metal Boot Makers Trade Sign

Located in London, GB

Early 20th century double sided metal boot makers trade sign. A highly decorative double sided

Category

Vintage 1930s French Folk Art Signs

Materials

Metal

Vintage Large Wooden “Bakery” Trade Sign
Vintage Large Wooden “Bakery” Trade Sign

Vintage Large Wooden “Bakery” Trade Sign

Located in Dekalb, IL

American trade advertising. While the specific maker is unknown, such signs were commonly produced by

Category

Early 20th Century American American Colonial Signs

Materials

Wood

Large Weathered Trade Sign "Carriage Shop"
Large Weathered Trade Sign "Carriage Shop"

Large Weathered Trade Sign "Carriage Shop"

Located in Greenwich, CT

A 12 foot long trade sign displaying the words Carriage Shop on one side and Horse Shoeing on the

Category

Antique 1870s American Signs

Materials

Wood

Early 20th C Collection Italian Deli Butchers Meats Shop Trade Display Folk Art
Early 20th C Collection Italian Deli Butchers Meats Shop Trade Display Folk Art

Early 20th C Collection Italian Deli Butchers Meats Shop Trade Display Folk Art

Located in Lowestoft, GB

A fun collection of Italian butchers display meats that would off adored a traditional delicatessen. Within the collection there is a pair of late 19th/early 20th century plaster an...

Category

Early 20th Century Italian Signs

Materials

Plastic, Rubber, Plaster

Hand-Carved Steer Head Trade Sign
Hand-Carved Steer Head Trade Sign

Hand-Carved Steer Head Trade Sign

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Hand-carved French walnut steer head trade sign. Made for a butcher shop. Simple, yet well done

Category

Early 20th Century French Signs

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century oversized English Trebor sweet shop trade sign.
Early 20th Century oversized English Trebor sweet shop trade sign.

Early 20th Century oversized English Trebor sweet shop trade sign.

Located in London, GB

Early 20th Century oversized English Trebor sweet shop trade sign. A wonderful example of massive

Category

Vintage 1920s British Folk Art Signs

Materials

Sheet Metal

Early 20th Century Pharmacist Figural Trade Sign
Early 20th Century Pharmacist Figural Trade Sign

Early 20th Century Pharmacist Figural Trade Sign

Located in Dekalb, IL

Antique figural painted tin trade sign. This piece takes the form of an antique mortar and pestle

Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Signs

Materials

Tin

Hand Painted Dentist Trade Sign c.1940
Hand Painted Dentist Trade Sign c.1940

Hand Painted Dentist Trade Sign c.1940

Located in San Francisco, CA

ABOUT Single sided wooden dentist tooth trade sign with gold and black letters. Hand painted, hand

Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Signs

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century Pharmacist Figural Trade Sign
Early 20th Century Pharmacist Figural Trade Sign

Early 20th Century Pharmacist Figural Trade Sign

Located in Dekalb, IL

Antique figural copper and tin trade sign. This piece takes the form of an antique mortar and

Category

Early 20th Century Signs

Materials

Copper, Wrought Iron, Tin

Hand Painted Dentist Trade Sign c.1940
Hand Painted Dentist Trade Sign c.1940

Hand Painted Dentist Trade Sign c.1940

Located in San Francisco, CA

ABOUT Single sided wooden dentist tooth trade sign with gold and black letters. Hand painted, hand

Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Signs

Materials

Wood

Walk This Way: Antique Metal Shoemaker’s Trade Sign
Walk This Way: Antique Metal Shoemaker’s Trade Sign

Walk This Way: Antique Metal Shoemaker’s Trade Sign

Located in New York, NY

sculptural, folk-art quality. Such three-dimensional trade signs were designed to be immediately legible to

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Signs

Materials

Metal

1940s Native American Trading Post Wooden Sign
1940s Native American Trading Post Wooden Sign

1940s Native American Trading Post Wooden Sign

Located in Los Angeles, CA

1940s Native American wooden painted trading post sign. Colors are vibrant. This is what paint

Category

Vintage 1940s American Adirondack Signs

Materials

Wood

Italian Pirelli Wrought Iron Advertising Trade Sign 1920
Italian Pirelli Wrought Iron Advertising Trade Sign 1920

Italian Pirelli Wrought Iron Advertising Trade Sign 1920

Located in Hastings, GB

Absolutely incredible advertising sign for an Italian garage, blacksmith made in forged and ornate

Category

Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Signs

Materials

Wrought Iron

Dairy Products Trade Sign Geo Fitchett 1940s
Dairy Products Trade Sign Geo Fitchett 1940s

Dairy Products Trade Sign Geo Fitchett 1940s

Located in Newfoundland, PA

Wonderful 1940s Geo Fitchett Dairy Products Trade sign, this wooden trade sign is in wonderful

Category

Vintage 1940s American Primitive Signs

Materials

Wood

19th Century 'Doctor McCracken' Surgeon's Trade Sign
19th Century 'Doctor McCracken' Surgeon's Trade Sign

19th Century 'Doctor McCracken' Surgeon's Trade Sign

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

Double-sided doctor's medical practice trade sign for 'Dr. McCracken'.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Signs

Antique Ingersoll Watches Adverting Trade Sign, circa 1900
Antique Ingersoll Watches Adverting Trade Sign, circa 1900

Antique Ingersoll Watches Adverting Trade Sign, circa 1900

Located in San Francisco, CA

Antique double sided trade sign for Ingersoll Watches in the shape of a pocket watch. Excellent old

Category

Early 20th Century American Other Signs

Materials

Metal

Frazer Nash Huge Illuminated Advertising Painted Trade Sign
Frazer Nash Huge Illuminated Advertising Painted Trade Sign

Frazer Nash Huge Illuminated Advertising Painted Trade Sign

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

Frazer Nash huge illuminated advertising painted trade sign This is an advertisement for the

Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Signs

Materials

Wood

Mid-20th Century Hand Crafted Pine Barbers Trade Sign
Mid-20th Century Hand Crafted Pine Barbers Trade Sign

Mid-20th Century Hand Crafted Pine Barbers Trade Sign

Located in London, GB

Mid-20th Century Hand Crafted Pine Barbers Trade Sign Dimensions in inches: H 16.5” x W 2.5” x D

Category

Vintage 1960s British Mid-Century Modern Signs

Materials

Pine

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Folk Art Trade Signs For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a range of folk art trade signs for sale on 1stDibs. The range of distinct folk art trade signs — often made from wood, metal and iron — can elevate any home. There are all kinds of folk art trade signs available, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. Folk art trade signs are generally popular furniture pieces, but Folk Art, Industrial and Victorian styles are often sought at 1stDibs. Many folk art trade signs are appealing in their simplicity, but Ross Johnson Drug Co, Alan Buonaiuto and Indian Motorcycles produced popular folk art trade signs that are worth a look.

How Much are Folk Art Trade Signs?

Folk art trade signs can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price at 1stDibs is $1,838, while the lowest priced sells for $245 and the highest can go for as much as $49,000.

Finding the Right Signs for You

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.