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Signs For Sale
Period: 19th Century
Period: Late 19th Century
Double Sided Late 19th c. English Fishmonger's Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a fantastic double sided English fishmongers sign with original paint. I especially love the teeth of this guy. This is folk art at its finest. don't let this one get away!
Category
1890s British Antique Signs
Materials
Wood
French, 19th Century Iron Shoemakers Shop Sign
Located in Buisson, FR
Original riveted sheet iron shoemakers shop sign. Unique find,
France, circa 1800-1850. Traces of red paint visible.
Weathered.
Category
19th Century French Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Iron
Rare 1880s Handmade Copper/Bronze Sign, Plaque "J.W.Williams Drop Forgings"
By E. N. Little & Sons 1
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare 1880s handmade copper/bronze sign plaque "J.W.WILLIAMS DROP FORGINGS." Monumental sign/plaque salvaged from the turn of the century J W WILLIAMS factory in Brooklyn New York, ex...
Category
1880s American Industrial Antique Signs
Materials
Bronze, Copper
Large Antique Terracotta 19th Century Dairy Bowl Kitchen Decoration, C.1880
Located in London, GB
A very large 19th century dairy bowl. c.1880
Terracotta with beautiful green glazed bowl with wonderful ancient stapled repair. Some minor chipping here and there, but a great dec...
Category
Late 19th Century English Industrial Antique Signs
Materials
Terracotta
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 giltwood spheres which represent the universal symbol for the pawnbroker trade.
...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Signs
Materials
Wrought Iron
Nineteenth Century 55 Wood Address Sign
Located in Garnerville, NY
Nineteenth Century '55' wood sign. Old wood relief sign with wonderfully weathered gold and black paint. A nice accent piece or if your address just happens to be 55 Main Street, Any...
Category
Late 19th Century American Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Wood, Paint
Mounted Asafo Flag of Ghana c.1820-1920
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Contact us for more shipping quotes: S16 Home San Francisco.
An original Asafo flag depicting the Fante people of Ghana, Africa and the Union Jack of the United Kingdom. Mou...
Category
19th Century Industrial Antique Signs
Materials
Wood, Fabric
English Wrought Iron Panel Baring the Monogram DC
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique English wrought iron panel baring the monogram DC. This exquisite sign has a scrolling handcrafted design; applied swags and floral embellishments are complimented by its ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Georgian Antique Signs
Materials
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
Late 19th Century Cigar Store Carved Wooden Indian Tobacconist Trade Sign
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A life size carved pitch pine cigar/tobacconist trade sign/point of sale in the form of an Indian. Often placed outside of a shop, the cigar store Indian became less common in the 20...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Signs
Materials
Steel
19th Century Apothecary Mortar & Pestle Countertop Trade Sign or Sale Stimulator
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Apothecary trade sign or sale stimulator in the form of a mortar and pestle in gilt wood. The mortar of cylindrical waisted form with a central half round band and stepped rings at t...
Category
Late 19th Century American Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Wood
Zinc and Gold Horse Head Butchers Trade Sign Flemish 1860
Located in Hastings, GB
19th century Flemish gilt zinc horse head trade sign. This beautiful hand made sign was used by a Flemish butcher and dates to circa 1860. There are still remnants of the beautiful g...
Category
1860s Belgian Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Zinc
19th C. Belgian Cast Iron Watchmaker's Store Sign, circa 1860-1890-Free Shipping
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A 19th century watchmaker's trade sign. Double faced. Painted Cast iron body with zinc clock face.
CREATOR Unknown. Belgium.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE circa 1860-1890
MATE...
Category
19th Century Belgian Industrial Antique Signs
Materials
Iron, Zinc
19th Century Tole Locksmith's Trade Sign
Located in Downham Market, GB
An early toleware Locksmith's trade sign.
A wonderful 19th century gilded metal trade sign, delightfully original & untouched with the perfect patina...
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Signs
Materials
Metal
Monumental Antique American Painted Turned Wood Barber Pole, circa 1875
Located in San Francisco, CA
An uncommon and towering seven-and-a-half-foot tall circa 1875 American painted turned wood barber pole trade sign.
Very impressive in both its rar...
Category
1870s American Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Wood, Paint
American Country Tole Gold Clock Sign
Located in New York, NY
American Country (19th Century) painted tole gold trimmed double sided clock sign in the form of a pocket watch.
Category
19th Century American Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Tôle
American Folk Art Carved Marble Oval Building Marker, Dated 1813
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A haunting and unusual American carved marble building marker, probable New England origin circa 1813. The names inscribed are H. Missemer & S. Missemer. It...
Category
1810s American Antique Signs
Materials
Marble, Wrought Iron
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
Late 19th Century North American Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Zinc
19th c Giant Wooden Advertising Thermometer NY Life Insurance Co "NYLIC"
Located in Savannah, GA
Giant sized forty seven inches tall wooden thermometer made by the Hoehn Company Thermomter Makers, Chambers Street, NYC. constucted of hard wood with a rounded top and beveled edges, it adverrtises NYLIC-New York Life Insurance Co. wanting Bright Young Men- Permanent Pay. Measuring Blood Heat, Summer Heat,Tempe Rate, Freezing and Zero, the glass thermometer...
Category
1890s American Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Metal
"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 extraordinary surface
Early, painted, American trade...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Signs
Materials
Wood
Antique English Wrought Iron Police Station Sign with Briggs Barrow Mark
Located in Port Chester, NY
An antique English wrought iron police station sign in good original condition. Manufactured at the Briggs Foundry, Barrow, as seen in the bottom right corner. There are holes at eit...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Signs
Materials
Wrought Iron
19th Century Gold Giltwood Carved Letters William Trade Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Classic 19th century American wood trade sign with chunky hand carved and gold painted letters. Ready to display.
Category
Late 19th Century American Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Wood
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 ...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Signs
Materials
Blown Glass
19th Century Antique Ships Chandler Shop Advertising Sign
Located in Peabody, MA
A relic from Boston’s mercantile history and the seafaring trade. This 19th century shop sign displays a fairly detailed replica of a navigator’s octant (or sextant) and the proprietor’s name and street number...
Category
Late 19th Century American Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
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.
Category
Late 19th Century American Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Wood
19th Century Dark-Brown Antique Metal Sheet, Black Wall Décor Sign
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, antique thin metal sheet from a shoe shop in Lyon. The black wall décor is in good condition. Wear consistent with age and use. circa 1860,...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Signs
Materials
Metal
Tradesign in the Form of a Brick Storehouse
Located in Greenwich, CT
An advertising device or tradesign in the form of a brick storehouse, with ten arched windows or pigeonholes to display merchandise, constructed as a roofed box mounted on wheels, fo...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Signs
Materials
Wood
Antique Dutchess of Poughkeepsie NY Fire Insurance Reverse Painted Glass Sign
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Dutchess of Poughkeepsie NY Fire insurance reverse painted glass advertisement sign. Item features "Dutchess of Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Fire Ins...
Category
19th Century Victorian Antique Signs
Materials
Glass, Oak
19th Century Rustic English Private Land Owners Trespassers Sign
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
19th century rustic private land owners trespassers sign
This sign is made in elm with metal lettering set in relief it says
Notice
No road
Trespassers Wil
Be prosecuted
By...
Category
Mid-19th Century Rustic Antique Signs
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century Jewellers Trade Sign
Located in London, GB
Late 19th Century Jewellers Trade Sign
We share what we love, and we love this untouched example of a watch makers, jewellers trade sign. Make from cast iron and zinc, double sided, with traces of the painted clock face on both sides. We have mounted this object to a cast iron bespoke stand for ease of display. It can be removed from the stand and hung if you wish. One of the best examples we have been lucky enough to uncover.
Size of inches: H 31” x W 18” x D 3.5” (Includes stand)
Condition: Aged
Origin: European
Age: late 19th century
Note: This item weighs close of 30kg
Completely solid in structure and form, Natural aging across all surfaces, an aged 100-year-old antique item, loss of paint, one side of the clocks zinc face...
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Signs
Materials
Iron, Zinc
HOVIS, Etched Glass Bakery Advertising Window Sign
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
HOVIS, Etched Glass Bakery Advertising Window Sign
A great piece of social history, this is a window, the old sash type, the glass is etched and ...
Category
Late 19th Century Edwardian Antique Signs
Materials
Art Glass
1890's Gilt Painted Timber Printer's Trade Sign
Located in Downham Market, GB
An early printer's trade sign.
A wonderful 19th century painted timber trade sign for 'Wheeler' printer's, delightfully original & untouched with the p...
Category
19th Century British Rustic Antique Signs
Materials
Pine
Large Weathered Trade Sign "Carriage Shop"
Located in Greenwich, CT
A 12 foot long trade sign displaying the words Carriage Shop on one side and Horse Shoeing on the other. In weathered early hand painted lettering on wood, with molded edging on all ...
Category
1870s American Antique Signs
Materials
Wood
Hand Signed Written Cart Yolk
Located in Alton, GB
Hand painted cart yolk from W.lowis.
Category
19th Century Antique Signs
Materials
Wood
Arts and Crafts Copper Milliners Trade Sign, Copper Top Hat
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Arts and Crafts Copper Milliners Trade Sign. Copper Top Hat
This is an unusual piece, the Top Hat is made in beaten Copper it sits on an old wooden stand
The hat and stand are bo...
Category
Late 19th Century Arts and Crafts Antique Signs
Materials
Copper
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.
Category
Late 19th Century American Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Wood
Large Chinese Qing 19th Century Carved Temple Signboard with Red Calligraphy
Located in Yonkers, NY
A large Chinese Qing Dynasty period black signboard from the 19th century, with red calligraphy. Created during the Qing Dynasty, this large horizontal sign comes from a Chinese temple and features both carved and painted Chinese characters. Presenting a black ground, the sign showcases large carved Chinese characters with red painting, flanked with columns of smaller carved characters. Used to indicate the nearby presence of a temple, this 19th century Qing Dynasty Chinese carved temple signboard...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Signs
Materials
Wood
19th Century Barber's Pole Hand Carved Hand Painted
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th century barber's pole hand carved hand painted
Antique barber's pole
5.5" diameter x 42" high
The support measures 9" wide x 34" high
Good antique condition
The...
Category
Late 19th Century American Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Wood
English Victorian Painted Shoemaker's Boot Sign
Located in New York, NY
English Victorian red & blue painted and decorated wood carved shoemaker's boot sign.
Category
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Signs
Materials
Metal
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 North and South Dakota in 1889. The area is now part of the Sioux Falls...
Category
1880s American Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Silk
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. Hand crafted from a hand cut iron metal...
Category
1880s French Early Victorian Antique Signs
Materials
Wrought Iron
19th Century Regency Hand Blown Chemist Pharmacy Apothecary Display Carboy Sign
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A very early 19th century chemist display carboy, circa 1820 possibly earlier
The bulbous center sits on a stepped base with a swan like neck and a fine cut glass oversized stopp...
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Signs
Materials
Blown Glass, Cut Glass
Cast Case Iron Eagle Trade Signs, 1880-1900
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Pair of cast iron Case eagle signs. Depicts the company mascot "Abe" on a globe. Embossed "J.I. Case Threshing Machine Company, Racine, WI, USA." Original s...
Category
1890s American Antique Signs
Materials
Iron
Blickensderfer Typewriter Tin Sign "A Gift from the 19th to the 20th Century"
Located in Stamford, CT
A Wonderful Blickensderfer Typewriter Advertising Sign " A GIFT from the 19th to the 20th CENTURY " ( circa 1899 ) simply an amazing sign. The tin sign is in a wood frame with the ad...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Signs
Materials
Tin
1800s Skeleton Key Locksmith Trade Sign
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is one of the best locksmith trade signs we have offered. It’s early and all handmade in iron with original paint. It's very well done and a wonderful piece of Folk Art.
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Iron
19th Century Decorative Change /Cigar Trays
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century decorative cigar tray given at bars as props/gift. These are in great condition with minor wear consistent of age and use. Each measure the same.
Category
19th Century American Other Antique Signs
Materials
Tin
Antique Clock Advertising Sign
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique hand-painted advertising sign in the shape of a large pocket watch showing the name BB Thorp.
Category
19th Century Antique Signs
Heraldic Crest Framed & Painted on Slate from Borough of Finchley, Coat of Arms
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Heraldic crest framed & painted on slate from Borough of Finchley, coat of arms.
The coat of arms is 3 dimensional, it has been carved, painted and gilded, and set in golden b...
Category
Late 19th Century Arts and Crafts Antique Signs
Painted Wooden Stag/Reindeer
Located in Washington, DC
Painted wooden stag. English. Probably a Tavern or trade sign.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Signs
Materials
Wood
19th Century Large Size Gilded Pharmacy Sign from Pennsylvania
Located in Atlanta, GA
A 19th century gilded pharmacy sign of large dimensions from Pennsylvania made of gold painted zinc and representing pestle and mortar, circa 1850s-1880s.
Category
19th Century American Antique Signs
Materials
Gold, Zinc
Very Early X-Ray Building Sign
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is one of the best signs I've ever had. It's 10 feet 8 inches long by 19 inches by 5 inches thick. The letters are painted in the negative, just like an X-ray. The letters are "...
Category
Late 19th Century American Industrial Antique Signs
Materials
Tin
19th Century Tobacconist’s Trade Sign
Located in Greenwich, CT
English carved and polychrome decorated wood tobacconist’s trade sign in the form of a “Turk” wearing a distinctive headdress and dressed in a long robe, this advertising figure rela...
Category
19th Century British Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Wood
19th Century French Art Nouveau Verre Églomisé Gilt Trade Shop Sign
Located in Lowestoft, GB
Of striking composition, a reverse painted and gilt trade sign, late 19th century (circa 1890) in age French in origin.
The sign has typical Art Nouveau organic flowing forms and...
Category
1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Signs
Materials
Glass, Hardwood
Antique Pennsylvania Folk Art Painted Iron Railroad Sign
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Rare and historical Folk Art iron railroad sign from a Pennsylvania Station. Of impressive size and very well crafted, with an incredible age patina, a M...
Category
19th Century American Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Iron
19th Century Chinese Restaurant Hand Carved Trade Sign of Fish
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
19th century Chinese restaurant hand carved trade sign of fish.
Category
19th Century Antique Signs
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century Gold Gilt Zinc Weathervane
Located in London, GB
Late 19th century gold gilt zinc weathervane
A true working example of a late 19th century zinc weathervane in the form a rooster. With its original gold gi...
Category
1890s French Early Victorian Antique Signs
Materials
Zinc
19th Century French Red Boot Maker Store Sign, Antique Parisian Metal Wall Décor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique exterior sign of a Parisian shoemaker in painted metal of red color, designed as a hanging boot in a rounded shape. The French sign holder was handcrafted in wrought iron, in good condition. Wear consistent with age and use, circa 1900, 14 Rue de l’Arrivee, Paris, France.
A collection of Roxane Debuisson.
Roxane Debuisson was a famous collector born in Paris, France and passed away in Paris 2018. Debuisson’s personal life and professional training remains lost in history. In the 1960s-1970s she spent her time collecting elements of Parisian patrimonies or heritage. Among her exceptional collection, she was collecting topographical paintings and drawings, vintage street signs and broken armatures from the metro...
Category
19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Signs
Materials
Metal, Wrought Iron
Important Folk Art Trade Sign
Located in Greenwich, CT
A mid 19th Century folk art trade sign of demilune form, depicting a Native American chief holding a peace pipe and tomahawk wearing a headdress of white and red feathers, wearing a decorated tunic, supported by “s” scrolls, possibly a cover for a paddle boat wheel...
Category
19th Century American Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Wood
French La Belle Époque Lighted Bistro Cafe Sign
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic double sided bistro cafe metal sign from France's La Belle Époque period. Features a lacquer finish with pierced letters reading "Montre Ponctua"...
Category
19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Signs
Materials
Metal
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.
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