Antique Reverse Painted Double-Sided French Cafe Restaurant Trade Sign. c.1920
Located in London, GB
A vintage French Café double sided trade sign. c.1930 Constructed from reverse painted glass, with crinkle foil lettering reading Café - Casse‑Croûte - Restaurant.
Metal
$2,062Sale Price|20% Off
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 scale, Trebor Barley Sugar & Fruit Centres sweet jars.
Sheet Metal
Carved Haddock Trade Sign
Located in Norwell, MA
Six foot carved wood fish reminiscent of a nineteenth century trade sign. With carved gills, fins, scales, eyes and mouth.
Wood
A large wooden wrench, a trade sign of mwchanic’s shop, United States early 30’s
Located in Milan, IT
Trade sign of a mechanic's shop depicting a large wooden wrench with the mechanic's telephone numbers and address written on both sides.
Wood
19th Century Iron Trade Sign Letter Box, Mail Box, Folk Art, Locksmith Design
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th Century Trade Sign Letter Box, Mail Box, Locksmith. The Post Box is a very unusual piece, it is blacksmith made to hang outside a Hardware shop, it is in the shape of a padlock...
Iron
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.
Wood
19th Century Folk Art Hand Painted Watchmaker Wooden Trade Sign with Iron Hanger
Located in Milford, NH
A wonderful folk art watchmaker trade sign with hand painted dial and gilt case, including a forged wrought iron arched hanger for the outside of a shop.
Wrought Iron
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
19th Century French Wrought Iron Boot Makers Trade Sign, Folk Art
Located in Buisson, FR
A highly graphic and entirely unique French trade sign dating to the 19th century, crafted from heavy sheet and wrought iron for a bootmaker.
Iron
Oversized Metal Key Trade Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Massive metal bit-key trade sign from the UK. Marked BOLTON, 1925. Great patina to metal.
Metal
Antique Directional Trade Sign for Coin-Op Machine
Located in Dekalb, IL
Constructed with iron brackets and a shaped wooden body, this example retains strong original color, playful typography, and the unmistakable gesture that made these signs effective ...
Wood, Paint
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 wrought Iron. This sign was removed from a garage in Turin, Italy where it had hung...
Wrought Iron
American Folk Art Workshop Wrench Wood Trade Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic and substantial wood and iron wrench tool sign. Hand written fractions and original yellow paint. Very sturdy and well made. Great industrial workshop turned folk art. The ...
Iron
Boston Fish Market Trade Sign
Located in Norwell, MA
Carved flounder trade sign with lettering for "Chatham Fish Market".
Wood
Boston Fish Market Trade Sign
Located in Norwell, MA
Carved flounder trade sign with lettering for "Boston Fish Market".
Wood
1900s Butcher's Pig Trade Sign
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Vintage carved and painted pine butcher's trade sign. Molded frame, insized text reading "Porkies Pen" pig in relief. 33" x 40" Period: First quarter of the 20th century or earlier ...
Wood
$1,340Sale Price|20% Off
20thc Quilt Trade Sign in Original Paint on Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This double sided sheet metal with iron frame sandwich board reads : WE DO MACHINE QUILTING and it is on both sides. This is a all original painted double sided street or window sign...
Metal
Wiedemann's Fine Beer Trade Sign
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Wiedemann's Fine beer - The Leader Trade sign with three Canada geese on oval walnut plaque.
Wood
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 surface. Has original leaning brace mounted on back, but could also be easily hung on a ...
Sheet Metal
Six Foot "Osterville Seafood" Trade Sign
Located in Norwell, MA
Carved wood tuna fish trade sign with "Osterville Seafood" in hand painted lettering of gold, outlined in black.
Wood
Anthony's Pier 4 Carved Trade Sign
Located in Norwell, MA
Six foot carved Atlantc tuna trade sign with handpainted distressed finish. Lettering reads "Anthony's Pier 4".
Wood
Trident Sushi Bar Carved Trade Sign
Located in Norwell, MA
Six foot carved Atlantc tuna trade sign with handpainted distressed finish. Lettering reads "Trident Sushi Bar".
Wood
Carved Flounder Trade Sign "Fresh Fish"
Located in Norwell, MA
Hand carved flounder trade sign with painted lettering for "Fresh Fish".
Wood
Edgartown Seafood Carved Flounder Trade Sign
Located in Norwell, MA
Charming trade sign of a carved flounder with painted blue lettering for "Edgartown Seafood" with a subtle pickled white finish.
Wood
Antique W. Groh Shoe Repair Hand-Painted Smaltz Trade Sign
Located in Dekalb, IL
c. 1900s-1920s; American Antique hand-painted smaltz storefront sign advertising the shoe repair business of W. Groh. The sign features a dark smaltz background with large stencile...
Glass, Wood, Paint
Harvey's Boat Yard Carved Trade Sign
Located in Norwell, MA
Six foot carved mackerel trade sign with hand painted distressed finish with deeply carved scales, fins, gills, eyes, snout, etc.
Wood
Oversized Locksmith Trade Sign, Metal, French Folk Art, Circa 1950s
Located in London, England
Oversized locksmith hanging sign, France circa 1950s. H 33cm x W 85cm x D 6cm
Metal
$1,350Sale Price|25% Off
"Health Chiropractic, " Rare Art Deco Metal Trade Sign for Chiropractor
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This classic example of trade signage featuring a nude male angel figure with outspread wings was cast in aluminium and painted a shade of off-white. It has all the charm of classic ...
Aluminum
19th Century Large Apothecary Chemist Carboy Pharmacy Shop Trade Sign
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A 19th century hand blown glass chemist window display carboy. Used as a symbol of the pharmacy from the 17th century to the early 20th century. A rare example with a hollow cut ...
Blown Glass
$1,996Sale Price|20% Off
19thc Stag Trade Sign In Original Mustard Paint
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This amazing original mustard painted sheet iron stag /deer trade sign was found in Lancaster County,Pennsylvania.The condition is very good with minor paint loss on horns.This trad...
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
Six Foot Menemsha Fish Market Trade Sign
Located in Norwell, MA
Six foot carved fish trade sign. The Atlantic mackerel is hand-carved with gills, fins, tail, eyes, and snout.
Wood
$1,849Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Cast Iron Shoemaker’s Trade Sign
Located in London, GB
19th century cast iron shoemaker’s trade sign A highly decorative example of a late 19th century cast iron French shoemakers shop trade sign.
Wrought Iron
Samuel Robb Tobacco Trade Sign Princess
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Samuel Robb tobacco trade sign Indian princess (1851-1928). Carved and polychrome painted wood.
Wood
"The Big Tuna" Six Foot Carved Trade Sign
Located in Norwell, MA
Six foot carved Atlantic tuna wood trade sign with lettering for "The Big Tuna" sushi bar.
Wood
Antique Vintage Folk Art Hand Painted Rural Eggs Advert Trade Sign, C.1950
Located in London, GB
A wonderful primitive hand painted EGGS sign. c.1950 The sort once fixed to farm gates or roadside stalls, naively painted to advertise eggs at one shilling per dozen. White base pa...
Wood
Trade Sign Depicting a Huge Skimmer Ladle, France, 1900
Located in Milan, IT
Outdoor trade sign of a kitchen tools store, for advertising.
Iron
Samuel Robb Carved Tobacciana Trade Sign
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Tobacciana trade sign carved by Samuel Robb, New York, Circa 1885.
Wood
18th or 19th Century French Ship Chandler's Trade Sign
Located in Nantucket, MA
18th or 19th century French ship chandler's trade sign, circa 1800, an oval pine double sided sign built with large dove-tails, advertising Cooperage and Cordage.
Pine
Cast Iron Double Sided Watchmaker Jeweler Trade Sign Mirror
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Early 20th century gilded cast iron trade sign repurposed into a beveled mirror. Originally the double sided sign housed a clock.
Iron
Carved Fish Trade Sign for "Beach House Inn, Brant Point"
Located in Norwell, MA
Hand carved flounder trade sign with painted lettering for "Beach House Inn, Brant Point".
Wood
Rare South German Butcher's Guild Trade Sign, 19th Century
Located in ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE, Malaga
An exceptionally rare and highly unusual South German butcher's guild trade sign, dating to the 19th century. Hand-carved and polychromed, this remarkable object represents the shop ...
Glass, Wood
Life Size Auto Mechanic Truck Stop Menu Board Trade Sign
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Life Size Auto Mechanic Truck Stop Menu Board Trade Sign A charming and rare piece, a life size mechanic he came from the outside of a Trucker’s Diner, he is 6ft tall with Giant spa...
Fiberglass
$8,610Sale Price|20% Off
Exquisite Early 20th Century French Hand Lettering Trade Sign
Located in London, GB
We are proud to offer an exquisite early 20th century French hand lettering trade sign. This is truly a unique piece of trade sign retail art in our opinion, never seen the like befo...
Canvas
“Bird Carvings” Painted Wooden Trade Sign with Carved Swans
Located in Mount Horeb, WI
A charming mid-20th-century American painted wooden trade sign advertising “BIRD CARVINGS,” likely dating to the 1940s-1950s.
Softwood
French Large Size Mid-19th Century Zinc Clock Trade Sign on Custom Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
This French large size clock trade sign from the mid-19th century depicts an oversized pocket watch with round bow at the top.
Iron, Zinc
Six Foot Carved Fish Trade Sign
Located in Norwell, MA
Six foot Atlantic tuna with painted finish. 'Fresh Fish' is painted in red block letters on its right side. Distressed finish. Fitted with two pieces of iron chain. Awesome look. We...
Wood
American Oval Timber Trade Sign with Two Masted Ship and Rope Boarder. C. 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
American oval hand carved timber trade sign with a centered two masted ship, rope border, upper painted banner "The London and New York Trading Company" and lower painted trademark "...
Rope, Wood, Paint
19th Century Trade Sign Clothing Wood Double Sided Wooden Hudson Valley NY
Located in Newfoundland, PA
Take a look at this fantastic double sided early 19th or late 18th century wooden trade sign with original wrought Iron bracket. Came out of a Hudson Valley, N.Y. estate - "Clothing ...
Iron
Vintage Thomas Walker & Sons Nautical Trade Sign with Ship Log Instrument
By Thomas Walker & Son Ltd. 1
Located in Morristown, NJ
A vintage trade sign from the esteemed Thomas Walker & Sons Ltd, renowned makers of ship’s logs and chronometers in Southampton, UK.
Metal
A Pair of Carved & Painted Cigar Store American Indians, Shop Trade Signs
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Pair of Carved & Painted Cigar Store American Indians, Shop Trade Signs This is a rare find, an American Indian Chief and his Princess.
Wood
Harvey's Boat Rental Carved Flounder Trade Sign
Located in Norwell, MA
"Harvey's Boat Rentals, Quincy, Flounder Capital" is painted on this carved flounder. Details include carved scales, fins, tail, eyes, mouth, etc. Fitted with two iron hanging chains...
Wood
Model of Kissel Gold Bug Speedster, Trade Advertising Sign
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Model of Kissel Gold Bug Speedster, Trade Advertising SignA Car made famous by Amelia Earhart the Kissel Gold Bug Speedster thought of as one of the hottest cars on the road which s...
Plywood
Antique Early 20th C Hanging Trade Shop Sign "Antiques" Star of David Solomon
Located in Lowestoft, GB
Hanging double sided trade sign, sheet metal with a black ground and gilt lettering.
Metal
Antique 19th Century Farrier's Trade Horseshoe Sign
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
A large 19th Century wrought iron farriers trade sign in the shape of a horseshoe. With cleats and traces of old dark green paint suspended with an iron loop hanger that shows signif...
Metal
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.
Pine, Paint
Vintage Clam Bake Sign, circa 1960s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Vintage Clam Bake Sign, circa 1960s, a hand painted wooden trade sign for Clam Bakes.
Pine
$240Sale Price|40% Off
Original Magnolia Bakery Sign, Hand-Painted Wood, Country Style, 1960
Located in Essex, MA
Vintage Hand-Painted Wooden Trade Sign, "Magnolia Bakery" — Folk Art Style Black and White Farmhouse Wall Sign A charming and graphic vintage hand-painted wooden trade sign, rendere...
Wood, Paint
Giant Wood Early 20th Century Hand Painted Americana Barber Shop Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic and original Barber Shop trade sign in the shape of a barber pole. Great statement piece.
Wood
Early 20th Century Folk Art Toleware Moon Carved Wooden Sun Trade Sign
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A fun pair of sculptural and highly decorative objects, a toleware crescent moon and carved wooden sun, very much in the folk art style. Booth extremely characterful, with expressiv...
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.