Vintage May be older ( I believe early 20th century) antique wooden hand painted sign - genuine not reproduction!! This amazing sign has hand painted letters in a very unique font. The actual sign came from a shop front and has now been married to a nice aged wooden frame. Some age related wear, shows it's age. Do not confuse this with modern inferior reproduction items !!!
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98 cm wide
27 cm tall
4 cm depth
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The history of antique shop signs traces back to ancient times when symbols were used for illiterate populations to identify shops. In the 18th and 19th centuries, as literacy increased, lettered signs became common, but pictorial signs like the barber's pole remained popular. The late 19th century saw the invention of the durable and collectible porcelain enamel sign, which peaked in popularity before new materials and production methods emerged in the 20th century.
Early signs (Ancient times–18th century)
Pictorial and symbolic signs: In ancient Rome, Greece, and Egypt, signs often used symbols and pictures because most people could not read.
"At the sign of..." tradition: This practice made it easy for people to find businesses without literacy, for example, "at the sign of the Golden Lion".
Rise of letters: As literacy rates increased in England in the 18th century, lettered signs became more common.
19th and early 20th centuries
Artistic and handcrafted signs: Signwriting became an art, with signs hand-painted on wood, often with gold leaf accents.
Pictorial signs endure: The 19th century saw the continued use of strong pictorial signs, such as the red and white striped barber pole or wooden statues outside tobacconists.
Porcelain enamel signs: The process for creating durable, vibrant, and weatherproof porcelain enamel signs was patented in 1859. These signs were widely used for advertising and are a popular collector's item today.
Mid-20th century and beyond
Mass production: New materials like acrylic and PVC allowed for mass-produced signs.
Neon and modern materials: The mid-20th century saw the rise of neon signs and bold, eye-catching designs.
Computer-aided design: The latter part of the century introduced computer-aided design, digital printing, and vinyl lettering, leading to more cost-effective and easily produced signs.