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Whimsical Signs

Whimsical "PHOTOS" Neon sign  photo booth / store display
Whimsical "PHOTOS" Neon sign  photo booth / store display

Whimsical "PHOTOS" Neon sign photo booth / store display

Located in Buffalo, NY

Whimsical "PHOTOS" Neon sign photo booth / store display..

Category

Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Signs

Materials

Metal

Large Carved Pub Sign
Large Carved Pub Sign

Large Carved Pub Sign

Located in Greenwich, CT

A pub sign depicting a whimsical fox emerging from a gilt jug, of very large scale.

Category

Vintage 1930s English Folk Art Signs

Materials

Wood

Recent Sales

Early "spa" Sign
Early "spa" Sign

Early "spa" Sign

Unavailable

H 56 in W 12 in D 7 in

Early "spa" Sign

Located in Hadley, MA

Fantastic, whimsical trade sign, advertising a 19th C version of today's Spa.

Category

Antique 19th Century American Signs

Vintage Folk Art Fruit Stand Sign
Vintage Folk Art Fruit Stand Sign

Vintage Folk Art Fruit Stand Sign

Sold

H 11 in W 58 in D 1 in

Vintage Folk Art Fruit Stand Sign

Located in Seattle, WA

Crude hand-lettering in bright red over a soft pumpkin-color background, this piece is sized right for a casual kitchen wall or along side other whimsical signs to enhance an on-goin...

Category

20th Century American Signs

Materials

Wood, Paint

Whimsical Advertising Light-Up Sign
Whimsical Advertising Light-Up Sign

Whimsical Advertising Light-Up Sign

Sold

H 20 in W 12.5 in D 4 in

Whimsical Advertising Light-Up Sign

Located in Petaluma, CA

We are avid advertising collectors and dealers for over 30 years and here's an item that we have never seen before. The scene depicts a young child being spanked by his teacher for n...

Category

Early 20th Century American Edwardian Signs

Materials

Paper

Fairground Whimsical Figure of Strongman John
Fairground Whimsical Figure of Strongman John

Fairground Whimsical Figure of Strongman John

Located in Greenwich, CT

Charming mid-20th century fairground "strongman" figure, the slight gentleman wearing a beanie cap and sporting a handlebar moustache in mid squat position standing on original paint...

Category

Vintage 1940s American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Fiberglass

Whimsical Violin Iron Lock and Key
Whimsical Violin Iron Lock and Key

Whimsical Violin Iron Lock and Key

Sold

H 14 in W 11 in D 1.5 in

Whimsical Violin Iron Lock and Key

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Very charming and unusual folk art iron pad lock.

Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Folk Art Signs

Materials

Iron

Folk Art Hotel Dress Code Sign, circa 1950
Folk Art Hotel Dress Code Sign, circa 1950

Folk Art Hotel Dress Code Sign, circa 1950

Sold

H 6.5 in W 12.5 in D 1 in

Folk Art Hotel Dress Code Sign, circa 1950

Located in Nantucket, MA

Vintage Folk Art Hotel Dress Code Sign, circa 1950, a whimsical hand painted sign from a posh resort in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Wood

Early 19thc Bronze Hand Trade Sign On Iron Mount
Early 19thc Bronze Hand Trade Sign On Iron Mount

Early 19thc Bronze Hand Trade Sign On Iron Mount

Located in Los Angeles, CA

THIS 19THC FOLKY AND WHIMSICAL BRONZE LADIES HAND TRADE SIGN THAT IS ON A CUSTOM IRON STAND WAS PROBABLY MOUNTED ON A BRICK STORE FRONT BUILDING.WE ARE NOT SURE WHAT IT IS SUPPOSE TO...

Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Signs

Materials

Bronze

Charming Hand-Painted Advertising Sign – "The Two Friends, Lodgings for Seamen"
Charming Hand-Painted Advertising Sign – "The Two Friends, Lodgings for Seamen"

Charming Hand-Painted Advertising Sign – "The Two Friends, Lodgings for Seamen"

Located in New York, NY

Charming Hand-Painted Advertising Sign – "The Two Friends, Lodgings for Seamen" This whimsical advertising sign, depicting two female figures, is inscribed with "The Two Friends, Lo...

Category

20th Century English Victorian Signs

Materials

Wood, Paint

Folk Art Hand Painted Wooden Trade Sign
Folk Art Hand Painted Wooden Trade Sign

Folk Art Hand Painted Wooden Trade Sign

Sold

H 11.5 in W 40 in D 1 in

Folk Art Hand Painted Wooden Trade Sign

Located in Nantucket, MA

1930s? A wonderful whimsical sign most likely from a farm stand: they are selling something for the great bargain of 15 for 25 cents, but wait... the Second half is Free!!!

Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Pine

Unintentionally Whimsical Lobster Pound Sign, circa 1970
Unintentionally Whimsical Lobster Pound Sign, circa 1970

Unintentionally Whimsical Lobster Pound Sign, circa 1970

Located in Nantucket, MA

Unintentionally Whimsical Lobster Pound Sign, circa 1970, a great vintage hand-painted two board trade sign for a lobster pound.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Pine

Vintage Trailer Highway Sign
Vintage Trailer Highway Sign

Vintage Trailer Highway Sign

Sold

H 24 in W 24 in D 0.13 in

Vintage Trailer Highway Sign

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Whimsical vintage highway sign from Texas. Blue sign with with graphics of a trailer.

Category

Vintage 1970s American Signs

Materials

Steel

Same Day Service Neon Sign
Same Day Service Neon Sign

Same Day Service Neon Sign

Sold

H 19 in W 42 in D 3.25 in

Same Day Service Neon Sign

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Whimsical Lucite and neon sign. "SAME DAY SERVICE" likely from a dry-cleaner.

Category

1990s North American Signs

Materials

Glass, Lucite

Midcentury Lobster Pools Trade Sign
Midcentury Lobster Pools Trade Sign

Midcentury Lobster Pools Trade Sign

Sold

H 22 in W 43.5 in D 0.75 in

Midcentury Lobster Pools Trade Sign

Located in Nantucket, MA

They are not seen as often as they used to be on the Cape and along the coast of Maine, although some very old ones still survive like the famous one in Ogunquit. This sign is uninte...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Signs

Materials

Plywood

Whimsical Butchers Trade Sign
Whimsical Butchers Trade Sign

Whimsical Butchers Trade Sign

Sold

H 37.5 in W 104 in

Whimsical Butchers Trade Sign

Located in Cincinnati, OH

A truly whimsical and amusing vintage butchers trade sign.

Category

Vintage 1950s American Signs

Whimsical Tin Bird Silhouette
Whimsical Tin Bird Silhouette

Whimsical Tin Bird Silhouette

Sold

H 10.5 in W 15 in

Whimsical Tin Bird Silhouette

Located in North Egremont, MA

First half of the twentieth century bird cut from a flattened oil can, strong silhouette and a collage graphic from the advertising lettering

Category

Vintage 1940s Signs

Wrestling Club Sign
Wrestling Club Sign

Wrestling Club Sign

Sold

H 60 in W 48 in

Wrestling Club Sign

Located in Seattle, WA

Whimsical Wrestling Club sign with bright yellow, red and black paint; custom-framed in blackened angle-iron with a two-inch profile.

Category

20th Century American Signs

Materials

Steel

Vintage Cottage Sign
Vintage Cottage Sign

Vintage Cottage Sign

Sold

H 5.5 in W 37.5 in D 1 in

Vintage Cottage Sign

Located in Cincinnati, OH

A whimsical and amusing vintage sign that probably hung above the front entrance on a midwest lake, summer resort/camp cottage.

Category

Vintage 1960s American Signs

Materials

Wood

Fishing Hole Sign
Fishing Hole Sign

Fishing Hole Sign

Sold

H 48 in W 75 in D 0.38 in

Fishing Hole Sign

Located in Seattle, WA

Twentieth century roadside goodness, right here. A colorful, whimsical make-do sign for the Rainbow Springs fishing area, Somewhere, USA.

Category

20th Century American Rustic Signs

Red Worms For Sale Sign
Red Worms For Sale Sign

Red Worms For Sale Sign

Sold

H 27 in W 20.5 in D 6 in

Red Worms For Sale Sign

Located in Seattle, WA

Another whimsical 'make-do' sign made from the lid from an old steel barrel, this one advertising the sale of red worms.

Category

Vintage 1950s American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Steel

Pair of 19th Century Optician Signs
Pair of 19th Century Optician Signs

Pair of 19th Century Optician Signs

Sold

H 16 in W 21 in D 6 in

Pair of 19th Century Optician Signs

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Set of two whimsical Optician signs from San Francisco. Priced as a pair

Category

Antique 19th Century American Signs

Materials

Metal

Folk Art  Fresh Eggs Advertising Sign
Folk Art  Fresh Eggs Advertising Sign

Folk Art Fresh Eggs Advertising Sign

Located in Mt Kisco, NY

whimsical painted wood sign depicting a chicken standing on an oversized egg.

Category

Early 20th Century American Signs

Painted Advertising Sign, "The Two Friends, " England, 20th C.
Painted Advertising Sign, "The Two Friends, " England, 20th C.

Painted Advertising Sign, "The Two Friends, " England, 20th C.

Located in New York, NY

Whimsical Painted Advertising Sign Depicting Two Female Figures and Inscribed,"The Two Friends, Lodgings for Seamen."

Category

20th Century English Signs

Materials

Wood

Mule's Head and Moon-Shine Bottle
Mule's Head and Moon-Shine Bottle

Mule's Head and Moon-Shine Bottle

Sold

H 20.5 in W 16 in D 6 in

Mule's Head and Moon-Shine Bottle

Located in Palm Springs, CA

Fold Ard Advertisement Sign. A whimsical composition of a mule's head and "moon-shine" bottle.

Category

20th Century American Signs

Materials

Metal

Whimsical Painted Tin Sign
Whimsical Painted Tin Sign

Whimsical Painted Tin Sign

Sold

H 44 in W 33 in

Whimsical Painted Tin Sign

Located in Woodbury, CT

Lovely whimsical painted tin sign titled "The Summerhouse".

Category

20th Century English Paintings

Materials

Tin

Vintage Pub Sign Advertising Daily Selection
Vintage Pub Sign Advertising Daily Selection

Vintage Pub Sign Advertising Daily Selection

Located in New York, NY

Vintage Pub Sign Advertising the Daily Selection of “Stewed Eels, Pie and Mash, Stout, Cockles, and Whelks”, England, 20th Century This whimsical shop sign has been recently re...

Category

20th Century English Decorative Art

Materials

Paint

Whimsical Garden Sign
Whimsical Garden Sign

Whimsical Garden Sign

Sold

H 22.5 in W 71.5 in D 0.5 in

Whimsical Garden Sign

Located in Woodbury, CT

Whimsical Garden Sign. This hand-painted and very large sheet-iron sign is a wonderful example of 20th century country Folk Art.

Category

Vintage 1950s American Signs

Materials

Sheet Metal

Man's   Mid 20th Century Sign Fragment
Man's   Mid 20th Century Sign Fragment

Man's Mid 20th Century Sign Fragment

Sold

H 20 in W 49.5 in D 3.5 in

Man's Mid 20th Century Sign Fragment

Located in Hudson, NY

From the Stephanie Lloyd Collection- a whimsical mounted metal letter sign. Old paint in a copper gold tone over earlier pink and black paint.

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Signs

19th Century Folk Art "Pad Lock Sign"
19th Century Folk Art "Pad Lock Sign"

19th Century Folk Art "Pad Lock Sign"

Sold

H 52 in W 37 in D 4.5 in

19th Century Folk Art "Pad Lock Sign"

Located in High Point, NC

Large and whimsical advertising sign in the form of a padlock.

Category

Antique Early 1900s English Signs

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

Pink Elephant Neon Sign, 1950s Liquor Store, Animated
Pink Elephant Neon Sign, 1950s Liquor Store, Animated

Pink Elephant Neon Sign, 1950s Liquor Store, Animated

Located in North Hollywood, CA

This whimsical pink elephant neon sign came from a 1950s liquor store in the Palm Springs area.

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Signs

Materials

Steel

Large Prancing Horse Silhouette Sign
Large Prancing Horse Silhouette Sign

Large Prancing Horse Silhouette Sign

Sold

H 94 in W 99 in D 1 in

Large Prancing Horse Silhouette Sign

Located in Seattle, WA

A stylized 'Prancing Horse' sign fragment with whimsical form and pose, stencil-cut from textured sheet steel; the steel strap used here is approximately 1" wide with some variation...

Category

20th Century American Wall-mounted Sculptures

Materials

Steel

You May Also Like

Folk Art Sign
Folk Art Sign

Folk Art Sign

$1,221

H 8.27 in W 21.66 in D 0.79 in

Folk Art Sign

Located in London, GB

An Edwardian Folk Art sign with overscale finger, insribed ‘Left Luggage’.

Category

20th Century English Signs

Materials

Hardwood

Vintage Retro Mid Century French Neon Illuminated Butchers Display Sign, c.1950
Vintage Retro Mid Century French Neon Illuminated Butchers Display Sign, c.1950

Vintage Retro Mid Century French Neon Illuminated Butchers Display Sign, c.1950

Located in London, GB

An incredibly rare French neon butchers trade sign. c.1950. A characterful hanging neon sign from a French butcher’s shop, its metal body finished in a flocked‑velvet coating that h...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Signs

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

1960s English Carnival Sign
1960s English Carnival Sign

1960s English Carnival Sign

$1,650

H 23 in W 42.13 in D 0.13 in

1960s English Carnival Sign

Located in High Point, NC

1960s carnival art sign from England. It is advertising a cake walk on one side of the sign, and on the back has a charming message "Have a nice Victorian day". Great sign for any co...

Category

Vintage 1960s English Folk Art Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

Victorian Folk Art House Table or Wall Art
Victorian Folk Art House Table or Wall Art

Victorian Folk Art House Table or Wall Art

$2,600

H 12.25 in W 13.13 in D 4.38 in

Victorian Folk Art House Table or Wall Art

Located in Litchfield, CT

Circa late 1800s, wood, and glass, American, possibly New York. Charming beyond belief, this polychrome Folk Art House was originally made to feature a mirror for grooming and tray f...

Category

Antique 1890s American Folk Art Painted Furniture

Materials

Wood

Victorian Folk Art House Table or Wall Art
Victorian Folk Art House Table or Wall Art

Victorian Folk Art House Table or Wall Art

$2,600

H 17.75 in W 12.5 in D 6 in

Victorian Folk Art House Table or Wall Art

Located in Litchfield, CT

Circa late 1800s, wood, and glass, American, possibly New York. Charming beyond belief, this polychrome Folk Art House was originally made to feature a mirror for grooming and tray f...

Category

Antique 1890s American Folk Art Painted Furniture

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century folk art fairground massacre knock down figure
Early 20th Century folk art fairground massacre knock down figure

Early 20th Century folk art fairground massacre knock down figure

$1,226Sale Price|20% Off

H 14 in W 21 in D 7 in

Early 20th Century folk art fairground massacre knock down figure

Located in London, GB

Early 20th Century folk art fairground massacre knock down figure A folk art / primitive hand-crafted fairground knock down game figure. Constructed from pine and metal, hand painte...

Category

Vintage 1920s French Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Pine

Folk Art Hunter Carving, circa 1930s
Folk Art Hunter Carving, circa 1930s

Folk Art Hunter Carving, circa 1930s

$875

H 17.5 in W 9 in D 3.5 in

Folk Art Hunter Carving, circa 1930s

Located in Santa Monica, CA

Hand-carved wooden Folk Art hunter with a sheet metal hat. Original red, white and black paint surface.

Category

Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Sheet Metal

Bespoke Custom Vintage Original Letters, Retro, Shop, Sign, Reclaimed, Signage
Bespoke Custom Vintage Original Letters, Retro, Shop, Sign, Reclaimed, Signage

Bespoke Custom Vintage Original Letters, Retro, Shop, Sign, Reclaimed, Signage

Located in Bath, Somerset

We're sure we don't need to spell it out how fantastic these vintage letters are! Most of them were salvaged from an old disused letter making factory in England along with some fab...

Category

20th Century British Decorative Art

Materials

Metal

Vintage "B-A-R" Sign
Vintage "B-A-R" Sign

Vintage "B-A-R" Sign

$250

H 10.5 in W 27 in D 0.75 in

Vintage "B-A-R" Sign

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Vintage "B-A-R" Sign Vintage B-A-R letters mounted to aluminum angle = "BAR" Letters are Painted Cast Aluminum by Wagner Sign Service as list on the back of each letter. "in good ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Industrial Signs

Materials

Aluminum

Art Deco / Moderne /Googie Style "TRAVEL sOMEWHERE" NEON SIGN..
Art Deco / Moderne /Googie Style "TRAVEL sOMEWHERE" NEON SIGN..

Art Deco / Moderne /Googie Style "TRAVEL sOMEWHERE" NEON SIGN..

Located in Buffalo, NY

"TRAVEL SOMEWHERE" Neon Sign..GOOGIE STYLE.. originally created and built as a prop for a movie in the 1980s,,and just recently used (again) in the upcoming film "The Bell Jar" star...

Category

Vintage 1980s Art Deco Signs

Materials

Glass, Wood

Fabulous Antique British London Pub Two Sided Sign
Fabulous Antique British London Pub Two Sided Sign

Fabulous Antique British London Pub Two Sided Sign

$2,800

H 41.25 in W 29.25 in D 2 in

Fabulous Antique British London Pub Two Sided Sign

Located in Hopewell, NJ

Fabulous one of a kind original pub sign from The Cornet Pub on Lavender Gardens just off Lavender Hill, Battersea London, having a gentleman on white horseback and the words “The ...

Category

Antique Early 1900s English Signs

Materials

Wood

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

19th Century Cobbler Trade Sign

$1,650

H 14 in W 9.5 in D 4.5 in

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 with lead, circa 1870 Very good condition, measures: 14" x 9 ½”.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Lead

Vintage Americana Mid-Century Neon Barber Shop Sign
Vintage Americana Mid-Century Neon Barber Shop Sign

Vintage Americana Mid-Century Neon Barber Shop Sign

Located in Santa Monica, CA

Fantastic 13.5 foot long Mid-Century vintage neon barber shop sign. Total statement piece. Unusual three dimensional channel letters. Many layers of red, white and blue paint surface...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Metal

Vintage Gas Station Neon Sign, 20th Century
Vintage Gas Station Neon Sign, 20th Century

Vintage Gas Station Neon Sign, 20th Century

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Vintage gas station "Time Gas" advertising sign with new neon glass and transformers, single sided tin. Whether you're an avid collector of automotive memorabilia or simply a lover o...

Category

20th Century Contemporary Art

Materials

Glass

Cast Iron Vintage Industrial CO Signage, circa 1920
Cast Iron Vintage Industrial CO Signage, circa 1920

Cast Iron Vintage Industrial CO Signage, circa 1920

$244Sale Price|40% Off

H 12.21 in W 11.03 in D 0.79 in

Cast Iron Vintage Industrial CO Signage, circa 1920

Located in Markington, GB

Cast iron vintage Industrial CO signage, circa 1920 Measures: Height 31cm, depth 2cm, width 28/30cm approximate each.

Category

Vintage 1920s British Mid-Century Modern Wall-mounted Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Large Hand Painted Early Carnival Rounding Board
Large Hand Painted Early Carnival Rounding Board

Large Hand Painted Early Carnival Rounding Board

Located in Norwalk, CT

Bring an unusual piece of folk history into your home with this stunning early 20th century rounding board salvaged from a carnival. With hand-painted designs of putti and harp motif...

Category

Early 20th Century Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

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Vigneron Table
Vigneron Table

Vigneron Table

Sold|$2,266

H 25.2 in W 57.09 in D 40.56 in

Vigneron Table

Located in London, England

Lower level French vigneron table with folding pine top on mahogany base. Circa 1860 H 64cm x W 145cm x D 103cm

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Dining Room Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Pine

Wood Carved Folk Art Girl and Dog Carousel Chariot Original Paint Surface
Wood Carved Folk Art Girl and Dog Carousel Chariot Original Paint Surface

Wood Carved Folk Art Girl and Dog Carousel Chariot Original Paint Surface

Located in Santa Monica, CA

Fantastic girl and her dog Folk Art carved carousel chariot panel. Superb original paint surface. Great three dimensional surface. Excellent wall hanging.

Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

Carnival Midway Sideshow Banner
Carnival Midway Sideshow Banner

Carnival Midway Sideshow Banner

$1,600

H 126 in W 12 in D 0.13 in

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...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Folk Art Carnival Art

Materials

Canvas

Handblown Murano Glass Candelabra Multicolored, circa 1940
Handblown Murano Glass Candelabra Multicolored, circa 1940

Handblown Murano Glass Candelabra Multicolored, circa 1940

By Murano 5

Located in Ottawa, Ontario

Handblown Murano glass candelabra, multicolored, circa 1940, Baroque style, five-arm candelabra with multicolored applied decoration, materials: glass and wood, wired for electricity...

Category

Mid-20th Century Baroque Table Lamps

Materials

Blown Glass

Two Walter Bosse Candleholders
Two Walter Bosse Candleholders

Two Walter Bosse Candleholders

$215Sale Price|26% Off

H 1.19 in W 2.76 in D 1.58 in

Two Walter Bosse Candleholders

By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller

Located in Wien, Au

Two Walter Bosse candleholders Original condition We not selling the candle she is only decoration.

Category

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Pair Hotel Silver Rams' Head Salts
Pair Hotel Silver Rams' Head Salts

Pair Hotel Silver Rams' Head Salts

$450 / set

H 2 in Dm 2.5 in

Pair Hotel Silver Rams' Head Salts

Located in New York, NY

Pair hotel silver rams' head salts. Pair neoclassical style tripod form silver plate salts with rams' heads terminating in hoof feet with stretcher to central ball finial all beneat...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

French Style 1950s Plant Stand
French Style 1950s Plant Stand

French Style 1950s Plant Stand

$3,500

H 37.75 in W 17 in D 17 in

French Style 1950s Plant Stand

Located in Sharon, CT

A plant stand that holds four small plants in style. Light blue over white paint. The holes are 4" in diameter.

Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres

Materials

Steel

Amuneal's Brass Pantry Cabinetry
Amuneal's Brass Pantry Cabinetry

Amuneal's Brass Pantry Cabinetry

$79,658 / item

H 95 in W 54 in D 25 in

Amuneal's Brass Pantry Cabinetry

By Amuneal

Located in New York, NY

Amuneal's Brass Pantry Cabinetry, part of our metal Kitchen Collection, is designed as a feature element for any space. The three doors on the upper cabinets are fabricated with a kn...

Category

2010s American Modern Cabinets

Materials

Brass

1958 Danish Teak Royal Cado Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius
1958 Danish Teak Royal Cado Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius

1958 Danish Teak Royal Cado Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius

$12,650 / set

H 78 in W 126 in D 18 in

1958 Danish Teak Royal Cado Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius

By Poul Cadovius

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Highly versatile and functional Cado wall unit in walnut by Danish designer Poul Cadovius. We currently have many different Cado pieces in stock and can customize your order to incl...

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Teak

Exciting Gino Hollander Style Abstract Oil Painting Mid-Century Modern
Exciting Gino Hollander Style Abstract Oil Painting Mid-Century Modern

Exciting Gino Hollander Style Abstract Oil Painting Mid-Century Modern

By Gino Hollander

Located in Pemberton, NJ

Exciting Gino Hollander style abstract oil painting. This painting is not signed but we believe it to be by the artist.

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

Extremely Rare Georgian Peacock Green Drinking Vessel
Extremely Rare Georgian Peacock Green Drinking Vessel

Extremely Rare Georgian Peacock Green Drinking Vessel

Located in Steyning, West sussex

An extremely rare Georgian peacock green drinking vessel with six finger hole and lid. The vessel is very similar in design to earlier German vessels one of which can be seen at the...

Category

Antique 1790s English Georgian Glass

Materials

Glass

19th Century Chinese Canopy Wedding Bed
19th Century Chinese Canopy Wedding Bed

19th Century Chinese Canopy Wedding Bed

$15,884Sale Price|50% Off

H 102.37 in W 99.61 in D 72.84 in

19th Century Chinese Canopy Wedding Bed

Located in Marbella, ES

This is a wonderful example of a canopy bed from Shanghai Province, China. Made of Chinese Northern Elm, this bed features hoofed feet and multiple floral carvings. The exterior ...

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Gold Leaf

Red and White Graphic New York Bus Subway Destination Sign
Red and White Graphic New York Bus Subway Destination Sign

Red and White Graphic New York Bus Subway Destination Sign

Located in Santa Monica, CA

Very large New York bus destination sign. Unusual in red. Very graphic. Bottom of roll was date stamped 1951. 7 1/2 feet tall.

Category

Vintage 1950s American Steampunk Signs

Materials

Canvas

English Cast Iron Umbrella  / Cane Stand. Circa 1840
English Cast Iron Umbrella  / Cane Stand. Circa 1840

English Cast Iron Umbrella / Cane Stand. Circa 1840

Located in Charleston, SC

English cast iron umbrella / cane stand with three section top, scrolled floral side mounts, four removable pans, and terminating on decorative cast egg and dart base.

Category

Antique 19th Century British Umbrella Stands

Walter Bosse Midcentury Brass Horse Figurine, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
Walter Bosse Midcentury Brass Horse Figurine, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s

Walter Bosse Midcentury Brass Horse Figurine, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s

By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller

Located in Vienna, AT

A lovely horse foal sculpture made of brass from the 1950s. Designed by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller. In good condition with charming patina. We offer more Walter Bosse br...

Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Liceu de Artes e Ofícios. 19th Century Daybed
Liceu de Artes e Ofícios. 19th Century Daybed

Liceu de Artes e Ofícios. 19th Century Daybed

$32,000

H 43.31 in W 90.56 in D 30.32 in

Liceu de Artes e Ofícios. 19th Century Daybed

Located in Sao Paulo, SP

This recamier/daybed was conceived and executed with utmost quality and expertise, showing a style that incorporates many influences from the eigtheenth and ninetheenth century. Made...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Brazilian Romantic Chaise Longues

Materials

Wood

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Whimsical Signs For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a range of whimsical signs for sale on 1stDibs. Frequently made of metal, wood and iron, all whimsical signs available were constructed with great care. Whimsical signs have been made for many years, and versions that date back to the 19th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century. Folk Art and Mid-Century Modern whimsical signs are consistently popular styles.

How Much are Whimsical Signs?

Prices for whimsical signs start at $345 and top out at $7,900 with the average selling for $1,490.

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.