Skip to main content

Whimsical Signs

Folk Art Hand Painted Wooden Trade Sign
Located in Nantucket, MA
... 1920s? 1930s? A wonderful whimsical sign most likely from a farm stand: they are selling something for
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Pine

Set of Three Folk Art Straight Edge Razor Trade Signs
Located in Stamford, CT
Three whimsical American folk carved wood art trade signs in the form of straight edge razors. Used
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Wood

"B. Briscoe, Tailor" Sign with a Backwards S, circa 1810-1850
Located in York County, PA
Early American trade sign: “B. BRISCOE, TAILOR,” circa 1810-1850, with a backwards “S” and
Category

Antique Early 19th Century American Signs

Materials

Wood

Accordian Player: Dutch store signage
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Rescued from a musical instruments store in the Netherlands, this sophisticated yet whimsical
Category

Vintage 1940s Dutch Signs

Materials

Brass, Aluminum

Rather Large Vintage Beaver Sign from a Zoo
Located in Chicago, IL
A rather large and whimsical mid-20th century American beaver sign from a Wisconsin zoo. The sign
Category

Mid-20th Century American Decorative Art

Materials

Steel

Vintage Trailer Highway Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Whimsical vintage highway sign from Texas. Blue sign with with graphics of a trailer. Good vintage
Category

Vintage 1970s American Signs

Materials

Steel

Vintage Trailer Highway Sign
Vintage Trailer Highway Sign
H 24 in W 24 in D 0.13 in
Vintage Pair of Hand Carved Wood Silhouette Figures
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Whimsical pair of wood silhouettes in the shape of a man and woman. Both life-sized. Both wearing
Category

Vintage 1970s American Signs

Materials

Wood

People Also Browsed

His Masters Voice Porcelain Advertising Sign
By His Masters Voice
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
His Masters Voice porcelain sign. His Master's Voice (HMV) is a famous trademark in the music and recording industry and was the unofficial name of a major British record label. T...
Category

Early 20th Century Signs

Abstract Figural and Pediments - Two Sided Art - James Coughlin
By James Coughlin
Located in Soquel, CA
Abstract Figural and Pediments - Two Sided Art Mid century figural and architectural painting on paper. Heavy layers of paint with a dog on an abutment and two Japanese wrestlers in...
Category

1960s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Handmade Paper

Hans Gugelot designed radio for Braun, 1955
By Hans Gugelot, Braun
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Radio "Super" G11 by Swiss designer Hans Gugelot for Braun in 1955. Braun is of course well known for their iconic, Dieter Rams designed, audio equipment. This piece is not tested, w...
Category

Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Musical Instruments

Materials

Plastic, Wood

Hans Gugelot designed radio for Braun, 1955
Hans Gugelot designed radio for Braun, 1955
H 14 in W 21.375 in D 13.5 in
Original Magnolia Bakery Sign
Located in Essex, MA
Original Magnolia Bakery hand-painted sign from an upper state New York bakery. White background with black lettering, charming addition to a kitchen, pantry or mudroom for a vintage...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Country Signs

Materials

Wood, Paint

Original Magnolia Bakery Sign
Original Magnolia Bakery Sign
H 12 in W 33.5 in D 0.5 in
1940s Dutch Brass and Porcelain Hand Painted Delft Blue and White Chandelier
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning and good size, six light pendant. This decorative and top quality made pendant could be perfect for you. Both on and off this great workmanship fixture can create just th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Other Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

1941 Trophy Baseball Radio, Working Condition
By Trophy Radio Company
Located in Milano, IT
This fantastic novelty item is reminiscent of a time when radio was king and radio broadcasts were the most popular way for fans to follow Major League Baseball across the country. E...
Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

Materials

Metal

20thc "Meat Market" Trade Sign from Pennsylvania
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The patina is so wonderful on this 20thc Meat Market trade sign. The sign is in good used condition.There is a minor crack in the middle of the sign. This sign was found in Pennsylva...
Category

20th Century American Adirondack Signs

Materials

Wood

1880s Odd Fellows Lodge Banner from Dakota
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Early 1880s Odd Fellows Lodge all-seeing eye banner from Centerville, Dakota. Excellent hand painting and lettering. Centerville was platted in 1883. Dakota became the states of Nort...
Category

Antique 1880s American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Silk

Eames Office radio for Emerson
By Charles Eames
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A nice radio design by the Eames office. Model 578A. Mahogany veneer case with plastic face and dials.
Category

Vintage 1940s American Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Eames Office radio for Emerson
Eames Office radio for Emerson
H 6.5 in W 9.5 in D 5.5 in
Zenith Chairside Radio Bar With Glasses Art Deco Rare
By Zenith
Located in Oakland, CA
Zenith Chairside Radio Bar With Glasses Art Deco Rare. This is a 1938 Zenith chairside model 7D241. This is a “Radio Bar” model offered for sale. It is original glassware with gold ...
Category

Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Musical Instruments

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Wood Carved Store Display Trade Sign Artist Paint Brushes Original Paint
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic hand carved giant wood artist paintbrushes. All original multi colored paint surface. Completely wood carved. Perhaps part of a retail window display or a trade sign. Great...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Wood

Late 19th Century Antique Arched Stained Glass Transom Window New Wood Frame
Located in Stamford, CT
Beautiful antique stained glass arch transom window in a new wood frame. Late 19th century window salvaged from an estate outside Pittsburgh PA. This is a combination window with bot...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Windows

Materials

Stained Glass, Wood

Pair of Antique Bookcases Display Cabinets Painted Light Gray
Located in Round Top, TX
These exceptional bookcases are a tremendous find as it is difficult to find a matching pair. The professionally applied (newer) light gray and white layered paint is perfectly distr...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Hungarian Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paint

CIRCA 1940's MAISON JANSEN DUCK / SWAN HEAD SIDE TABLE POLISHED CHROME & BRASS
By Maison Jansen
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely original circa 1940's polished chrome and brass Maison Jansen France side table or stool with Du...
Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco End Tables

Materials

Brass, Chrome

19th Century, Apothecary Trade Sign
Located in Nantucket, MA
Figural trade sign in the form of a mortar and pestle, both the mortar and pestle are hand turned and gilded, with strong ring turnings. The top is capped with zinc and still bears i...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century North American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Zinc

12.5 Foot Tall Vintage Neon Bowling Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Massive 12.5 foot tall metal and neon bowling sign from the 1960s. Sign is red with white letters and white trim. Neon lights are red and illuminate letter by letter B - 0 - W - L an...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Signs

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Recent Sales

Early "spa" Sign
Located in Hadley, MA
Fantastic, whimsical trade sign, advertising a 19th C version of today's Spa. The best patina of
Category

Antique 19th Century American Signs

Early "spa" Sign
Early "spa" Sign
H 56 in W 12 in D 7 in
Carved Tavern Or Inn Sign
Located in Hadley, MA
Fabulous, whimsical "greeter", depicting a Colonial gent, in his dark blue coat, pants and hat
Category

Antique 19th Century American Folk Art Sculptures

Carved Tavern Or Inn Sign
Carved Tavern Or Inn Sign
H 22 in W 12.325 in D 3 in
Vintage Folk Art Fruit Stand Sign
Located in Seattle, WA
casual kitchen wall or along side other whimsical signs to enhance an on-going collection.
Category

20th Century American Signs

Materials

Wood, Paint

Vintage Folk Art Fruit Stand Sign
Vintage Folk Art Fruit Stand Sign
H 11 in W 58 in D 1 in
Whimsical Advertising Light-Up Sign
Located in Petaluma, CA
enhance the look, the sign lights up with a light bulb behind the front. We smile everytime we look at
Category

Early 20th Century American Edwardian Signs

Materials

Paper

Whimsical Advertising Light-Up Sign
Whimsical Advertising Light-Up Sign
H 20 in W 12.5 in D 4 in
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
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

Whimsical Violin Iron Lock and Key
Whimsical Violin Iron Lock and Key
H 14 in W 11 in D 1.5 in
Locksmith's Trade Sign
Located in Stamford, CT
Trade sign depicting a giant key with the word 'Locksmithing' spelled out in whimsical fashion
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Locksmith's Trade Sign
Locksmith's Trade Sign
H 9.75 in W 38 in D 2 in
Folk Art Fresh Eggs Advertising Sign
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
whimsical painted wood sign depicting a chicken standing on an oversized egg. The sign is double
Category

Early 20th Century American Signs

Irish Folk Art Painted Trade Sign
Located in Leamington Spa, GB
A hand painted Irish trade sign from Sandymount, Dublin. Whimsical typeface in untouched
Category

Early 20th Century Irish Signs

Materials

Pine

Irish Folk Art Painted Trade Sign
Irish Folk Art Painted Trade Sign
H 17.33 in W 21.26 in D 3.15 in
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
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Signs

Materials

Bronze

Painted And Gilded Dining Room Sign From A Steamboat On The Fall River Line
Located in York County, PA
PAINTED AND GILDED DINING ROOM SIGN FROM A STEAMBOAT ON THE FALL RIVER LINE (NEW YORK TO BOSTON
Category

Antique 19th Century Signs

"Say Bull" Sign - Neon Light Fixture
Located in East Hampton, NY
This is a vintage advertising neon sign in white and blue, working great and truly a fun and
Category

Vintage 1950s American Decorative Art

Materials

Metal

Copper San Francisco 49er's Sign with Embossed Image of the Their Early Logo
Located in Petaluma, CA
from our local sport's teams. This sign is something we have never seen, and as we asked around, nobody
Category

Vintage 1950s American Other Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

Materials

Copper

Same Day Service Neon Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Whimsical Lucite and neon sign. "SAME DAY SERVICE" likely from a dry-cleaner. Original, outdoor
Category

1990s North American Signs

Materials

Glass, Lucite

Same Day Service Neon Sign
Same Day Service Neon Sign
H 19 in W 42 in D 3.25 in
Midcentury Lobster Pools Trade Sign
Located in Nantucket, MA
still survive like the famous one in Ogunquit. This sign is unintentionally whimsical in that the
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Signs

Materials

Plywood

Midcentury Lobster Pools Trade Sign
Midcentury Lobster Pools Trade Sign
H 22 in W 43.5 in D 0.75 in
Antique French Swiss Cow's Milk Advertising Sign
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Antique French Swiss cow's milk metal advertising Folk Art sign. Colorful sign with a red
Category

20th Century Swiss Folk Art Signs

Materials

Metal

'Wiggly Nightcrawlers' Folk Art Sign on Custom Wall Mount
Located in Chicago, IL
A whimsical and playful 20th century American Folk Art bait shop sign reading, 'Wiggly
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Steel

Vintage French Confiseur, Patissier, Glacier Shop Sign
Located in Houston, TX
Wonderful vintage iron and plastic painted sign from a French shop. Painted on the interior convex
Category

20th Century French Architectural Elements

Materials

Iron

Whimsical Butchers Trade Sign
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A truly whimsical and amusing vintage butchers trade sign. A light and airy sow composed of
Category

Vintage 1950s American Signs

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

Early Market Sign
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A whimsical and amusing early Americana advertisement sign. Bold and graphic monochromatic
Category

Vintage 1930s American Signs

Materials

Wood

Early Market Sign
Early Market Sign
H 12 in W 25 in
French Gowns Sign
Located in North Egremont, MA
Black sand-painted wooden sign with gilt lettering on the sand painted ground with a whimsical
Category

Early 20th Century American Signs

Materials

Wood

French Gowns Sign
French Gowns Sign
H 12 in W 18 in D 1 in
Wrestling Club Sign
Located in Seattle, WA
Whimsical Wrestling Club sign with bright yellow, red and black paint; custom-framed in blackened
Category

20th Century American Signs

Materials

Steel

Wrestling Club Sign
Wrestling Club Sign
H 60 in W 48 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
Category

Vintage 1960s American Signs

Materials

Wood

Vintage Cottage Sign
Vintage Cottage Sign
H 5.5 in W 37.5 in D 1 in
Homemade Art Sign
Located in Seattle, WA
While we're not sure how this colorful wood sign was used originally, we think its bright colors
Category

20th Century American Signs

Materials

Wood

Homemade Art Sign
Homemade Art Sign
H 24 in W 62 in D 4.5 in
Fishing Hole Sign
Located in Seattle, WA
Twentieth century roadside goodness, right here. A colorful, whimsical make-do sign for the
Category

20th Century American Rustic Signs

Fishing Hole Sign
Fishing Hole Sign
H 48 in W 75 in D 0.38 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
Category

Vintage 1950s American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Steel

Red Worms For Sale Sign
Red Worms For Sale Sign
H 27 in W 20.5 in D 6 in
Double-Sided Red Arrow Sign
Located in Seattle, WA
This vintage Double-Sided Lighted Sign is the most whimsical form in an Arrow-style sign we've ever
Category

Vintage 1940s American Signs

Double-Sided Red Arrow Sign
Double-Sided Red Arrow Sign
H 120 in W 32 in D 14 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

Men's and boy's clothing store neon sign housings
Located in Seattle, WA
Odd and whimsical this pair of neon cans may have advertised a men's and boy's clothing shop. Now
Category

Vintage 1960s American Signs

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
Category

20th Century English Signs

Materials

Wood

1950s Trailer Park Sign, Bellflower California, All Original, Double-Sided
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nothing says Trailer Park more then.... well, a trailer park sign! Moreover an all original
Category

Vintage 1950s American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Aluminum

"Gotta Dance"
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A whimsical and amusing vintage, self explanatory advertisement sign. A double sided pleasure.
Category

Vintage 1930s American Signs

"Gotta Dance"
"Gotta Dance"
H 14.5 in W 12 in D 1 in
Vintage Quarter Note Neon 'Can'
Located in Seattle, WA
Large-Scale Neon Sign 'can' in the whimsical shape of a quarter note, formerly an electrified neon
Category

Vintage 1930s American Signs

Materials

Sheet Metal

Vintage  Quarter Note Neon 'Can'
Vintage  Quarter Note Neon 'Can'
H 100 in W 60 in D 8 in
"Shirley"
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A terrific early sign in a bold black and white monochromatic color palette. Possibly an early
Category

Early 20th Century American Signs

Materials

Wood

"Shirley"
"Shirley"
H 12 in W 51 in D 2 in
"Hare" Cuts
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A wonderful, tongue in cheek vintage advertisement sign. Sure to stopped many a passerby in days
Category

Vintage 1940s American Signs

"Hare" Cuts
"Hare" Cuts
H 16 in W 60 in D 5 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. The
Category

20th Century American Signs

Materials

Metal

Mule's Head and Moon-Shine Bottle
Mule's Head and Moon-Shine Bottle
H 20.5 in W 16 in D 6 in
"Rat" Race Origins
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A fun and whimsical vintage, genetic teaching chart of mice/rat motif. A graphic and thought
Category

Vintage 1940s American Signs

Materials

Paper, Ink

"Rat" Race Origins
"Rat" Race Origins
H 12 in W 14.75 in
Tilt-A-Whirl Carnival Ride Panel
Located in Seattle, WA
and perfectly whimsical.
Category

20th Century American Signs

Tilt-A-Whirl Carnival Ride Panel
Tilt-A-Whirl Carnival Ride Panel
H 24 in W 67 in D 3 in
1, 2, 3, 4........
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A whimsical and exuberant vintage barrel having a visually dramatic citron paint surface. Adding
Category

Vintage 1930s American Signs

1, 2, 3, 4........
1, 2, 3, 4........
H 18.5 in W 11 in
"Big & Tall"
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A whimsical and amusing, folky gentleman's clothing shop advertisement. Having small town, South
Category

Vintage 1930s American Signs

Materials

Wood

"Big  & Tall"
"Big  & Tall"
H 18.25 in W 48 in D 0.75 in
Set of Rare Mazda Lightbulb Advertising Items
By General Electric
Located in Toronto, ON
Set comprises a whimsical giant reinforced cardboard lightbulb (featuring a realistic gold-painted
Category

Early 20th Century American Signs

Materials

Paint, Paper

French Pig and Elf Carnival Shooting Target
Located in Woodbury, CT
paint, this whimsical piece was once a carnival shooting target. When you hit the bulls eye, the elf
Category

Early 20th Century French Signs

Materials

Sheet Metal, Iron

Seattle Indian Dance Club Drum
Located in Seattle, WA
whimsical style. A hanging mechanism has been added to this for easy wall-mounting wherever a playful
Category

Vintage 1940s American Signs

Materials

Wood

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
Located in New York, NY
Whelks”, England, 20th Century This whimsical shop sign has been recently
Category

20th Century English Decorative Art

Materials

Paint

Whimsical Garden Sign
Located in Woodbury, CT
Whimsical Garden Sign. This hand-painted and very large sheet-iron sign is a wonderful example of
Category

Vintage 1950s American Signs

Materials

Sheet Metal

Whimsical Garden Sign
Whimsical Garden Sign
H 22.5 in W 71.5 in D 0.5 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
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Signs

Man's   Mid 20th Century Sign Fragment
Man's   Mid 20th Century Sign Fragment
H 20 in W 49.5 in D 3.5 in
19th Century Folk Art "Pad Lock Sign"
Located in High Point, NC
Large and whimsical advertising sign in the form of a padlock. Handcrafted out of hardwood timber
Category

Antique Early 1900s English Signs

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

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. He
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Signs

Materials

Steel

"Fish Nation"
Located in Cincinnati, OH
Great vintage advertisement sign with a terrific "take a second look" saying. Whimsical, thought
Category

20th Century Signs

Materials

Wood

"Fish Nation"
"Fish Nation"
H 5.5 in W 56.25 in D 0.75 in
Pair of French Carousel Panels
Located in Pasadena, CA
Whimsical 19th century canvas panels from a French carousel.
Category

Antique 19th Century French Signs

Materials

Canvas

Pair of French Carousel Panels
Pair of French Carousel Panels
H 72.75 in W 38.5 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
Category

20th Century American Wall-mounted Sculptures

Materials

Steel

Pair of French Carousel Panels
Located in Pasadena, CA
Whimsical 19th Century canvas panels from French a carousel.
Category

Antique 19th Century French Signs

Materials

Canvas

Pair of French Carousel Panels
Pair of French Carousel Panels
H 72.75 in W 38.5 in
Pair of French Carousel Panels
Located in Pasadena, CA
Whimsical 19th century canvas panels from a French carousel.
Category

Antique 19th Century French Signs

Materials

Canvas

Pair of French Carousel Panels
Pair of French Carousel Panels
H 72.75 in W 38.5 in
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Whimsical Signs", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

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.

Questions About Whimsical Signs
Prices for most whimsical signs on 1stdibs are negotiable. You’ll see a "Make an Offer" button on the item details page, indicating that the seller is willing to consider a lower price. It’s not uncommon for customers to get 15–25% off the list price after negotiating. See our tips for negotiating like a pro.
Only experienced, professional sellers who have applied and been thoroughly vetted by our team of experts can sell whimsical signs and other quality items on our site. Learn more about becoming a 1stdibs seller.
The 1stdibs Buyer Protection Guarantee provides coverage for qualified purchases in the unlikely event that the item arrives not as described or is damaged. We’ll work with you and the seller to find a resolution, ensuring your satisfaction. View details
We have partnerships with the world's best shipping providers to facilitate seamless and fully-insured delivery from the seller's location directly to you, wherever you are in the world. Our logistics team is comprised of dedicated members who arrange all the details with our partners, servicing and supporting all shipments. Learn more about shipping on 1stdibs.
For your convenience, we offer multiple payment methods, including all major credit cards and PayPal. For many purchases we also offer financing options or wire transfer. Learn more about payment options on 1stdibs.