Signs
1960s French Art Deco Vintage Signs
Plaster
Early 20th Century English Industrial Signs
Alabaster
Mid-20th Century German Modern Signs
Other
19th Century Belgian Industrial Antique Signs
Iron, Zinc
Mid-20th Century Belgian Art Deco Signs
Tin
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Signs
Metal, Enamel, Iron
1930s American Industrial Vintage Signs
Enamel, Steel, Iron
Mid-20th Century European Art Deco Signs
Tin, Metal
1970s American Vintage Signs
Plaster, Paint
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Signs
Steel
1970s American Vintage Signs
Paint, Fiberglass
20th Century North American Signs
Enamel, Steel
Early 20th Century Signs
Enamel, Wrought Iron
1970s American Vintage Signs
Steel
Mid-20th Century Mexican Signs
Metal
Early 20th Century Industrial Signs
Iron
2010s American Folk Art Signs
Canvas
Mid-20th Century European Modern Signs
Porcelain
1980s American Vintage Signs
Metal
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Signs
Metal
1960s French Vintage Signs
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Steel
1980s American Vintage Signs
Steel
1960s American Vintage Signs
Steel
1950s American Vintage Signs
Steel
Mid-20th Century Belgian Art Deco Signs
Tin
20th Century Dutch Folk Art Signs
Metal, Enamel
1990s American Signs
Steel
1950s American Folk Art Vintage Signs
Iron
20th Century British Country Signs
Wood
1940s French Vintage Signs
Metal
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Signs
Aluminum
20th Century American Signs
Wood
1970s American Vintage Signs
Plaster, Paint
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.