Trade Signs
Early 20th Century French Victorian Signs
Zinc
Vintage 1930s North American Folk Art Signs
Plywood
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Signs
Lead
Antique Late 19th Century North American Folk Art Signs
Zinc
Early 20th Century British Signs
Metal, Brass
Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Folk Art Signs
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Signs
Metal
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Signs
Wood
Antique 19th Century American Folk Art Signs
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Folk Art Signs
Iron
Mid-20th Century Industrial Signs
Metal
Mid-20th Century Arts and Crafts Signs
Oak
20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Wood, Paint
Antique Late 19th Century Signs
Antique 1870s American Signs
Wood
Vintage 1940s American Primitive Signs
Wood
Early 20th Century Signs
Copper, Wrought Iron, Tin
Antique Late 19th Century Canadian Folk Art Signs
Iron
Early 20th Century Industrial Signs
Wood
Early 20th Century American Other Signs
Metal
Early 20th Century French Signs
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Signs
Wood
Antique 1880s American Folk Art Signs
Vintage 1950s Folk Art Signs
Plywood
Early 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Signs
Zinc
Vintage 1940s English Industrial Signs
Metal
Vintage 1930s French Folk Art Signs
Metal
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Signs
Iron
Vintage 1960s British Mid-Century Modern Signs
Pine
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Folk Art Signs
Iron
Early 20th Century French Signs
Zinc
Vintage 1960s Folk Art Signs
Copper
Early 20th Century Industrial Signs
Wood
Antique 1860s Belgian Folk Art Signs
Zinc
Antique Early 1900s Folk Art Signs
Leather
Early 20th Century French Signs
Wood
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Iron
Vintage 1910s French Late Victorian Signs
Sheet Metal
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Signs
Wood
Early 20th Century Unknown Signs
Iron
Vintage 1910s French Victorian Signs
Zinc
Early 20th Century American American Colonial Signs
Wood
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Metal
Vintage 1920s British Folk Art Signs
Sheet Metal
2010s British Nautical Objects
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Signs
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Signs
Wood
Vintage 1940s American Industrial Signs
Aluminum
Antique Late 19th Century French Folk Art Signs
Iron
Vintage 1970s British Wall-mounted Sculptures
Metal
2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Signs
Wrought Iron
Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Signs
Iron
2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
- 1
- ...
Trade Signs For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Trade Signs?
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.
Read More
A Giant Wedding Cake Has Us Looking at Portuguese Tiles in a New Light
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.
Why Jules Chéret Was the King of the Modern Poster
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.
Why the American Flag Has Had So Many Different Star Patterns
Expert Jeff Bridgman explains the history and meaning behind the twinkling constellations that have graced Old Glory.
Peggy Guggenheim Loved Modernism, but She Also Collected Tribal Art
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.
The 13-Star American Flag Had More Variations Than You’d Think
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.
Tramp Art, America’s Most Misunderstood Art Form, Is Trending in Interiors
Designers are beginning to see this enigmatic form of folk art in a whole new light.