Trade Signs
Vintage 1940s American Signs
Antique 19th Century American More Folk Art
Wood
Antique 19th Century American Signs
Pine
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Signs
Wood
Vintage 1940s American Signs
Sheet Metal, Iron
Early 20th Century American Adirondack Signs
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Signs
Zinc
Mid-20th Century French Signs
Wood
Antique 19th Century American Signs
Sheet Metal
20th Century Nautical Objects
Antique 19th Century English Decorative Art
Wood
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century French Signs
Iron, Zinc
Antique 19th Century American Signs
Pine
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Signs
Zinc, Metal
Antique Late 19th Century French Signs
Zinc
Mid-20th Century American Country Signs
Fiberglass
Antique 19th Century American Folk Art Jars
Wood
Early 20th Century French More Folk Art
Vintage 1920s British Folk Art Signs
Wood
Vintage 1940s American Adirondack Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
Vintage 1960s European Nautical Objects
Wood
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Signs
Metal
Vintage 1950s American Signs
Wood
Antique 19th Century American Signs
Wood
Antique 19th Century Rustic Signs
Wood
Early 20th Century American Country More Folk Art
Wood
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Architectural Models
Iron, Zinc
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Pine
Vintage 1940s British Folk Art Wall-mounted Sculptures
Early 20th Century American Signs
Paint
Antique 1890s American Folk Art Signs
Antique 19th Century American Signs
Poplar
Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Signs
Iron
Vintage 1960s American Folk Art Signs
Wood
Antique 19th Century American Signs
Antique 19th Century French Folk Art More Folk Art
Zinc
Antique Late 19th Century American Industrial Mounted Objects
Bronze
Early 20th Century English Industrial Signs
Wood
Antique 19th Century American Folk Art Signs
Gold Leaf, Iron
Early 20th Century American Industrial More Folk Art
Antique 19th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Vintage 1940s British Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Sheet Metal
20th Century American Animal Sculptures
Iron
Early 20th Century Historical Memorabilia
Pine
Mid-20th Century French Belle Époque Signs
Wood
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Signs
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century British Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Ash
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Sculptures
Wood
Antique 19th Century American Architectural Elements
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Victorian Animal Sculptures
Zinc
Vintage 1920s British Early Victorian Animal Sculptures
Iron
Antique 19th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Wood
Antique 1790s French Folk Art Nautical Objects
Pine
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Doors and Gates
Iron
Vintage 1920s French Folk Art Decorative Art
Metal
Antique 1880s British Victorian Wall Brackets
Wrought Iron
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Trade Signs For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Trade Signs?
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.
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