Signs
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Signs
Enamel
1870s American Antique Signs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Signs
Enamel
Early 20th Century American Other Signs
Metal
Early 20th Century British Signs
Enamel
Mid-20th Century American Signs
Metal, Iron
Early 20th Century British Art Nouveau Signs
Copper
Early 20th Century Signs
Enamel, Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Signs
Wood, Paint
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Signs
Metal
1970s American Vintage Signs
Wood
Late 19th Century Arts and Crafts Antique Signs
Copper
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Signs
Aluminum
Late 19th Century Edwardian Antique Signs
Art Glass
1950s American Steampunk Vintage Signs
Canvas
1950s North American Folk Art Vintage Signs
Wood
2010s American Folk Art Signs
Canvas
1950s American Industrial Vintage Signs
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Signs
Paper
Mid-19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Signs
Metal
Signs
Late 19th Century American Folk Art Antique Signs
Wood
Late 20th Century French Modern Signs
Plastic
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Wood
1990s American Signs
Aluminum
Late 19th Century American Folk Art Antique Signs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Swiss Signs
Metal
Early 20th Century Signs
Iron
Early 20th Century Industrial Signs
Wood
20th Century English Signs
Metal
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Signs
Mahogany
1990s American Signs
Steel
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Signs
Wood, Paint
Early 1900s French Victorian Antique Signs
Zinc
21st Century and Contemporary American Signs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Signs
Concrete
Early 20th Century Belgian Art Deco Signs
Tin
1950s American Vintage Signs
Plastic, Wood
Mid-20th Century Industrial Signs
Enamel
Late 19th Century American Antique Signs
Tin
19th Century American Other Antique Signs
Tin
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Signs
Blown Glass, Cut Glass
Early 20th Century Folk Art Signs
Wood
1910s American Folk Art Vintage Signs
Wood
1970s American Vintage Signs
Steel
Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Signs
Concrete
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Signs
Porcelain
1930s American Vintage Signs
Tin
1980s American Vintage Signs
Metal
1980s American Vintage Signs
Metal
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Signs
Other
1950s North American Folk Art Vintage Signs
Metal
19th Century Antique Signs
1890s American Antique Signs
Iron
Early 20th Century French Signs
Wood
1970s American Vintage Signs
Metal
19th Century Antique Signs
Wood
Antique, New and Vintage Signs
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.