Signs
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Signs
Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century Swedish Victorian Signs
Glass, Art Glass
Early 20th Century French Victorian Signs
Metal
1910s French Late Victorian Vintage Signs
Sheet Metal
Early 1900s French Victorian Antique Signs
Metal
1920s Early Victorian Vintage Signs
Metal
1910s British Rustic Vintage Signs
Pine
Mid-20th Century Belgian Rustic Signs
Metal
19th Century British Victorian Antique Signs
Metal
Early 20th Century British Late Victorian Signs
Wood, Paper
Early 1900s French Victorian Antique Signs
Zinc
19th Century Victorian Antique Signs
Glass, Oak
Early 20th Century Victorian Signs
Wood
Mid-19th Century Rustic Antique Signs
Wood
19th Century British Victorian Antique Signs
Iron, Zinc
19th Century British Rustic Antique Signs
Pine
Early 20th Century Rustic Signs
Wood
Early 20th Century French Victorian Signs
Zinc
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Signs
Metal
1910s French Victorian Vintage Signs
Zinc
Early 20th Century English Rustic Signs
Canvas, Wood
1880s French Early Victorian Antique Signs
Wrought Iron
Early 1900s French Victorian Antique Signs
Zinc
1890s French Early Victorian Antique Signs
Zinc
20th Century American Rustic Signs
Metal
19th Century French Folk Art Antique Signs
Iron
20th Century English Signs
Hardwood
Late 20th Century English Signs
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Arts and Crafts Signs
Zinc
Early 20th Century Scottish Signs
Enamel, Metal
Late 19th Century American Antique Signs
Steel
1930s American Folk Art Vintage Signs
Masonite, Paint
Late 19th Century American Folk Art Antique Signs
Wood
1920s French Folk Art Vintage Signs
Zinc
19th Century British Victorian Antique Signs
Metal
Mid-19th Century Rustic Antique Signs
Wood
Early 1900s French Folk Art Antique Signs
Steel
Early 20th Century American Rustic Signs
Canvas, Birch, Paint
1920s French Early Victorian Vintage Signs
Brass
19th Century British Victorian Antique Signs
Wood
20th Century British Rustic Signs
Wood
19th Century British Victorian Antique Signs
Iron
19th Century British Victorian Antique Signs
Wood
1920s British Early Victorian Vintage Signs
Pine
Mid-20th Century British Rustic Signs
Pine
19th Century British Rustic Antique Signs
Pine
1920s British Late Victorian Vintage Signs
Metal
20th Century British Rustic Signs
Wood
19th Century British Victorian Antique Signs
Zinc
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.