Boston Fish Market Trade Sign
Located in Norwell, MA
Carved flounder trade sign with lettering for "Chatham Fish Market". Details include gills, fins
2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
Boston Fish Market Trade Sign
Located in Norwell, MA
Carved flounder trade sign with lettering for "Chatham Fish Market". Details include gills, fins
Wood
Boston Fish Market Trade Sign
Located in Norwell, MA
Carved flounder trade sign with lettering for "Boston Fish Market". Details include gills, fins
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
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
Sheet 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
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
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
Wood
Trident Sushi Bar Carved Trade Sign
Located in Norwell, MA
Six foot carved Atlantc tuna trade sign with handpainted distressed finish. Lettering reads
Wood
Carved Flounder Trade Sign "Fresh Fish"
Located in Norwell, MA
Hand carved flounder trade sign with painted lettering for "Fresh Fish". With red lettering
Wood
Carved Flounder Trade Sign "Fish & Chips"
Located in Norwell, MA
Hand carved and painted "Get Hooked Fish & Chips" trade sign with a subtle white pickled finish and
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
Wood
Six Foot "Fresh Fish" Trade Sign
Located in Norwell, MA
Six foot carved fish trade sign. The Atlantic mackerel is hand-carved with gills, fins, tail, eyes
Wood
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
Wood
$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
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
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
Wood
Carved and Painted Tuna Fish Trade Sign
Located in Norwell, MA
Expertly carved trade sign reminiscent of those that used to hand in the large waterfront fish
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
Wood
Antique Huge Hand Carved, Painted & Gilt SOCIETY Shop Trade Sign, C.1900
Located in London, GB
A large hand carved, painted and gilt 'SOCIETY' sign. c.1900 Likely once part of a larger shop
Wood
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
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. Letters
Wood
Circa 1890 Hardware Store Wood Trade Sign Carved Smaltz Black and Gold Paint
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Exceptional late 19th century hand carved letters with black and Gold paint and black smaltz background. Excellent typography. Great wall art. Simple and bold.
Wood
Trade Sign Depicting a Huge Skimmer Ladle, France, 1900
Located in Milan, IT
Outdoor trade sign of a kitchen tools store, for advertising. The sign depicts a huge skimmer ladle
Iron
19th Century Carved Wooden Ship Chandler's Trade Sign
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Hand Carved and Decorated Wooden Ship Chandler's Trade Sign, late 19th Century, a wooden
Wood
Very Rare Diselpunk Trade Sign from 1978, Adriano Goldschmied Renzo Rosso
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Very rare Diselpunk trade sign from 1978, Adriano Goldschmied Renzo Rosso This is the best of
Clay
Cigar or Tobacco Shop Trade Sign, Carving of an Indian Chief
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Cigar or Tobacco Shop Trade Sign, Carving of an Indian Chief This charming and very rare piece
Walnut
Samuel Robb Carved Tobacciana Trade Sign
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Tobacciana trade sign carved by Samuel Robb, New York, Circa 1885. Figure holds a knife and bundle
Wood
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
Iron
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
Pine
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". With
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
Fiberglass
Carved Tuna Fish Trade Sign
Located in Norwell, MA
Six foot carved big eye tuna with painted decoration. 'Washington St. Fish and Oyster Co.' of Boston in blue paint. Distressed finish. Carved gills, fins, tail, eyes, and snout. Fitt...
Wood
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
Canvas
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
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
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
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
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
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
Trade sign for a wine shop: three bottles with french label wine, France 1950.
Located in Milan, IT
A trade sign for the window of a wine shop, depicting three bottles with the label of French wines
Fruitwood, Lacquer
Large Vintage Painted Folk Art Trout Trade Sign, Fish Monger’s Metal Shop Sign
Located in Lisse, NL
, originally used as a trade sign for a fishmonger’s shop. Crafted from metal and suspended from an elegant
Zinc
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
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. Two pretty
Metal
$716Sale Price|20% Off
20th Century, Original Painted Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This original painted black and white trade sign reads Reserved for district. This cool one sided
Wood
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
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. A classic and
Pine
Unintentionally Whimsical Lobster Pound Sign, circa 1970
Located in Nantucket, MA
trade sign for a lobster pound. I love the idea of advertising where lobsters can park! The sign
Pine
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
Giant Wood Early 20th Century Hand Painted Americana Barber Shop Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Large and chunky Americana! Fantastic and original Barber Shop trade sign in the shape of a barber
Wood
$1,036Sale Price|20% Off
Lady Blessingtons Sailors Donation Momento Plaque
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20Thc Repro trade sign from New England with a weather protector varnish for bad weather
Wood, Paint
Enameled Steel Sign For "Tourist Fruit Room"
Located in Nantucket, MA
Great Vintage Enameled Steel Trade Sign For "Tourist Fruit Room." Of course! This is a period
Steel
Folk Art Giant Metal Scissors Industrial Store Display Sign, circa 1950
By Travail Francais
Located in Atlanta, GA
for a barber or hair salon. It is possible that the sign was initially used as a trade sign for a
Metal, Chrome
Impressive Huge 19th Century Pawnbroker Folk Art Sign with Three Spheres Symbol
Located in Lowestoft, GB
An impressive rare and monumental in scale folk art pawnbroker trade sign with its original trio of
Wrought Iron
$1,251Sale Price|25% Off
19th Century Regency Hand Blown Chemist Pharmacy Apothecary Display Carboy Sign
Located in Lowestoft, GB
originally used as early trade signs for pharmacy's prior to when the majority of the population couldn't
Blown Glass, Cut Glass
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.