Oversized Metal Key Trade Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Massive metal bit-key trade sign from the UK. Marked BOLTON, 1925.
Vintage 1970s British Wall-mounted Sculptures
Metal
Oversized Metal Key Trade Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Massive metal bit-key trade sign from the UK. Marked BOLTON, 1925.
Metal
C1945 Cast Aluminum Trade Sign Form of a Key Keil Charlestown N.H. Keys Made
By Keil Company
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous cast aluminum trade sign circa 1945 depicting a actual key in red and silver.
Aluminum
Antique European Locksmith’s Trade Sign in the Form of a Key, 40"H
Located in New York, NY
Large Cast Iron Trade Sign in the Form of a Key, 40"H Europe, antique This impressive oversized trade sign is cast in solid iron and takes the form of a monumental key, traditional...
Iron
French Gothic Style Wrought Iron Giant Key Locksmith Trade Sign
Located in Stamford, CT
French wrought iron black painted locksmith trade sign in the form of a large and elaborate key.
Wrought Iron
American Sheet Metal Folk Art Key Trade Sign
Located in Brooklyn, NY
American sheet metal Folk Art key trade sign, with hinges on the top and bottom sides to use as mounts.
Sheet Metal
Excellent Rare Early Key West Trade Sign, Double Sided
Located in Hadley, MA
FANTASTIC SMALL TRADE SIGN Carved from a single piece of pine, with "raised" framed border, and applied raised lettering, on both sides.
Pine
Very Large 18th Century French Key Maker's Trade Sign
Located in Woodbury, CT
This late 18th-early 19th century wrought iron trade sign once hung outside a key maker's shop, embedded into the stone walls with the two long horizontal arms.
Wrought Iron
Large 19th Century 51-Inch Wooden Locksmith Key Trade Sign
Located in New York, NY
This 51-inch long locksmith key trade sign from the 19th century is a remarkable piece of craftsmanship, embodying the era's artisanal pride.
Wood, Paint
Early Key Trade Sign
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is an early zink 3D skeleton key with some original paint. I'm guessing it date to the late 1800s. It measures an impressive 6 foot.
Metal
Monumental Mid-20th Century Folk Art Wooden 'Key' Trade Sign
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This 1960s large Folk Art key (70.5" L) was likely an advertising piece. It was made for display purposes and wood have been suspended in front of a retail location.
Wood
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 with original paint. It's very well done and a wonderful piece of Folk Art.
Iron
Early 19th Century Locksmith Trade Sign Key
Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex
Early 19th century Locksmiths trade sign key, highly ornate wrought iron oversized key, on a contemporary stand.
19th Century Cast Iron Hand Forged English Key Makers Trade sign
Located in London, GB
19th Century Cast Iron Hand Forged English Key Makers Trade sign Hand forged solid cast iron 19th Century key makers trade sign, with the letter “R” or “B” in the central lock secti...
Iron
1940s Large Yale Advertising Key Trade Sign
Located in Hastings, GB
A large cast metal advertising key sign for the Yale & Towne Mfg Co (Yale). This sign would have been either hung outside or inside the key cutting shop to advertise. circa 194...
Aluminum
1940s Locksmith Trade Sign
By Keil Company
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is nicely done midcentury key trade sign. Its thick cast aluminum and 2 sided with most of the original paint.
Aluminum
Early 20th Century Hand Carved Folk Art Key Makers Trade Sign
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century hand carved Folk Art key makers trade sign A highly decorative example of an early 20th Century hand carved gesso over pine key makers trade sign.
Gesso, Pine
19th Century Key Trade Sign
Located in Essex, MA
A large gilded zinc locksmith's trade sign in the form of a key.
Bartender/Sommelier's Key Trade Sign
Located in Seattle, WA
Big and bold Bartender/Wine Steward's 'Key' with bottle opener and corkscrew features and a large loop-style handle.
Chrome, Steel
Immense American Metal Trade Sign of a Key
Located in New York, NY
American, early 20th century trade sign, depicting an extremely large key. Unique with excellent old patina, perfect piece of folk art.
Iron Key Trade Sign
Located in Aurora, OR
This key is a great early 20th century handmade trade sign.
Iron
Key Form Cast Aluminum Locksmith Trade Sign
Located in Fulton, CA
A painted cast aluminum two-sided trade / store sign advertising Keil keys, Charlestown, New Hampshire.
Aluminum
$75
H 5.13 in W 1.75 in D 0.5 in
Vintage Bronze Key Corkscrew and Bottle Opener Metal Breweriana Barware, Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1960s bottle opener. Nice addition to your room or just for use at your bar or bar cart. Found at an estate sale in Vienna, Austria.
Brass
$75
H 4.63 in W 2.63 in D 0.5 in
Vintage Bronze Key Corkscrew and Bottle Opener Metal Breweriana Barware, Germany
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1960s bottle opener. Nice addition to your room or just for use at your bar or bar cart. Found at an estate sale in Germany.
Brass
Set of 17th Century English Keys Framed
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of 17th Century English Keys Framed and ready to display. This wonderful collection of ten ancient keys were hand forged in England in the 17th/18th century. Of unknown origi...
Metal
$1,950
H 7.75 in W 7 in D 1.5 in
French 18th c Door Knocker with Original Cast Iron Knocker & Wrought Iron Back
Located in valatie, NY
French 18th c Door Knocker with Original Cast Iron Knocker and Wrought Iron Back. This hand-wrought iron door knocker with a pierced scrolling back plate in Fleur-de-lis, floral and ...
Wrought Iron
Antique Solid Bronze Gothic Style Door Knocker
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large antique solid bronze gothic style door knocker dating from the early 20th century and cast with ‘AD MDXXVI’ for the year 1516. Highly ornate, this unusual door knocker has i...
Metal, Bronze
19th Century Ornate Door Lock And Key
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A 19th century ornate door lock and key. Crafted in England, dating to circa 1800. The lock mechanism is cased in oak and bound in decorative iron embellishments to the front. The ...
Iron
$32,000
H 64.57 in W 33.47 in D 3.15 in
Extraordinary Rare Gothic Castle Door with Original Forged Ironwork, 15th C.
Located in Doha, QA
A monumental and exceptionally rare Gothic castle door of the 14th- 15th century, preserving its original hand-forged wrought iron strap hinges, monumental lock, decorative iron fitt...
Wrought Iron
19th Century French Wrought Iron Antique Lock with Original Key
Located in Sofia, BG
19th century French wrought iron antique lock with original key that may be used for interior door or for a furniture like safe cabinet for example.
Iron, Wrought Iron
Marvelous Antique Carved Wood Locksmith Trade Sign
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A wonderful early 20th century carved mahogany locksmith trade sign in the shape of a large key. Makes an unexpected piece of wall art as a found object with tons of character.
Wood
Antique French Wrought Iron Arched Side Gate
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique wrought iron arched gate originating from late 19th/early 20th century France with scrolling pattern and a sheet steel panel to the base with applied cast iron decoration....
Wrought Iron
Tall Reclaimed Victorian Wrought Iron Side Gate
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A tall reclaimed Victorian era wrought iron side gate, ideal for adding security and style to a walled garden or side alley of a house. Dating from the late 19th century, this antiqu...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
Set of 13 Antique Iron Skeleton Keys on Keeper’s Ring, circa 1900
Located in Coral Gables, FL
An evocative assembled set of thirteen antique iron and steel warded keys, or skeleton keys, suspended from a large circular keeper’s ring. Stylistically dating from the late 19th to...
Metal
O'Ring Hardware
Located in Rome, RM
Betony Vernon created this hardware collection that serves multiple purposes from door knobs, hooks, drawer knobs or simply to adorn your homes and objects. Made in Italy, the O'ring...
Brass, Iron
17th Century Forged Iron Door Knocker from France
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand-forged in France during the 1600s, this iron door knocker features a backplate comprised of a shapely series of scrolls, barbs, and subtly pierced roundels. A thick pendant stri...
Metal, Iron
$85,000
H 74.81 in W 27.17 in D 1.19 in
Rare Gothic Castle Door with Original Hand-Forged Ironwork, 14th-15th Century
Located in Doha, QA
An exceptional and highly important 14th-15th century Gothic castle door, preserving its original hand-forged wrought iron strap hinges, monumental medieval lock, decorative iron fit...
Wrought Iron
$380
H 5.75 in W 2 in D 0.25 in
Set of four Wrought Iron Skeleton Key Antique German Folk Art, 18th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A lovely collection of old antique iron skeleton keys. Found at an estate sale in Nuremberg, Germany. A nice addition to your collection or to display. Each is in very good cleaned ...
Metal, Iron
$19,800
H 90.56 in W 39.38 in D 39.38 in
Savana Armchair in Natural Wicker, Brazilian Contemporary Style, Black seat
By Tiago Curioni
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The savana armchair is made of wicker in the Brazilian contemporary style. A clump of grass, a bush, which moves in the wind and envelops its inhabitant.This was the inspiration for...
Wicker
$19,800
H 90.56 in W 39.38 in D 39.38 in
Savana Armchair in Natural Wicker, Brazilian Contemporary Style
By Tiago Curioni
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
This armchair is made of wicker in the Brazilian contemporary style. A clump of grass, a bush, which moves in the wind and envelops its inhabitant was the inspiration for creating t...
Wicker
Carnival Midway Sideshow Banner
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Original hand-painted canvas sideshow banner for carnival midway sideshow entrance. Not signed but most likely out of Chicago Tent and Awning's banner shop. Original wood strip attac...
Canvas
Vintage Cleto Reyes Big Size Boxing Glove
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970, We offer this Vintage Cleto Reyes Big Size Boxing Glove, made in leather ideal for decoration or to get autographs.
Leather
Acier Red Shelf Lacquered Finish
Located in Paris, FR
Shelf Acier red in lacquered finish, French manufacture, uncolored varnish. Solid steel handcrafted. Red lacquered: L 40 x D30 x H 190cm, price: € 2900.00 Dark lacquered: L 40 x D30...
Steel
$35,000
H 107 in W 97 in D 1 in
Antique 18th Century French Aubusson Verdure Landscape Tapestry with Birds
Located in New York, NY
French, 18th century Verdure Aubusson tapestry handwoven in wool with silk highlights set within a complete floral border. Two birds wade aside a winding stream in this scenic landsc...
Wool, Silk, Tapestry
$220 / set
H 0.88 in W 3.63 in D 1.75 in L 0.88 in
Two large Beetle Bug Miniature Figurines, Vintage German 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Set of two larger decorative miniature figurines dating to approximately the 1960s. These charming vintage pieces are crafted from metal, possibly brass, and display an attractive ag...
Metal, Brass
Japanese Antique Low Table 1860s-1920s / Sofa Table Wabi Sabi
By Axel Vervoordt
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a rare old Japanese wooden low table, believed to date from the late Meiji period to the Taisho period, circa 1860s to 1920s. The tabletop is made from a single solid slab o...
Wood
$1,750
H 28.35 in W 27.56 in D 13.39 in
Japanese Antique Tansu Drawer Chest Edo Meiji Small Drawers Wabi Sabi Cabinet
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a Japanese antique drawer chest, believed to date from the late Edo period to the early Meiji period, circa 1800s to 1900s. Constructed from solid wood, this piece has a sim...
Iron
$4,311
H 35 in W 22.1 in D 7.5 in
Antique Medieval Gothic Style, Oak Hanging Wall Cabinet with Church Windows
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare gothic revival wall cabinet with carved church-window doors France or Northern Europe, late 19th century. This exceptional and highly decorative Gothic Revival wall cabinet dat...
Brass
$7,500
H 69.1 in W 70.48 in D 21.86 in L 69.1 in
Japanese Antique Large Tansu 1860s-1900s / Cabinet Cupboard Wabi Sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This large Japanese Tansu cabinet is believed to have been crafted during the late Meiji to early Taisho period. Among traditional Japanese storage furniture, examples of this scale...
Cedar
$4,765
H 79.53 in W 59.26 in D 23.63 in L 79.53 in
19th Century French Provincial Painted Pine Kitchen Cabinet or Cupboard
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
A French provincial cabinet or kitchen cupboard from the 19th century. Solidly crafted from pine with beautiful slightly distressed painted finish. Ready for everyday use. A delight...
Pine
English Gothic Revival Walnut Full Bed with Carved Finial Posts
Located in Queens, NY
English Gothic Revival-style (19th Century) walnut full size bed with carved finial posts. (Includes: headboard, footboard, rails)
Walnut
$22,500
H 33 in W 26 in D 44 in
Italian Baroque Rocking Chair by Pauly & Co., 19th Century Silver Leaf
By Pauly & Co.
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Venetian Grotto (19th cent.) silver gilt rocker with carved seashell seat & back and seahorse sides (att: Pauly et Cie, Venice)
Silver Leaf
$5,200
H 67.5 in W 61.5 in D 24.38 in
19th Century Napoleon III Ebonized Cabinet, Hand-Carved Wood, France
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A magnificent cabinet from 19th century France (Napoleon III) carved with a paneled design, architectural and Neoclassical elements over the ebonized exterior which enhances the magn...
Brass
$180Sale Price|20% Off
H 4.125 in Dm 0.5 in
Vintage Hand Carved Bone Cigarette Holder Stick High Relief Foliate Flowers 4"
Located in Dayton, OH
This vintage, cream-colored cigarette holder is crafted from genuine carved bone, tapering gently toward a flattened mouthpiece. The central barrel features a prominent, deeply carve...
Bone
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.