Although people have been hand-painting signs for thousands of years, it was the emergence of Enamel signs from the 1880s onwards which has really come to dominate the genre. Suddenly bold colourful and hard-wearing art works could be displayed at a fraction of the cost of a good sign-writer. The 20th Century landscape was plastered with such signs until the emergence of comparable plastics in the 1960s.
Today our love for old advertising signs has not diminished as they do add real charm to any wall. However, at the same time we have also gained an equally important love and respect for far more humble pieces as well. Simple location signs cast out of metal or painted onto wood that originally marked someone’s office (or even public toilet) now sit just as proudly on our walls. These weathered signs add warmth and personality to our homes and intrigue us with their old lettering.
At Love Antiques we have a great selection of genuine antique and vintage advertising signs.
Vintage Cast Iron “Duck Crossing” Garden Sign - Mid Century English Ironwork Rustic Decor
£ 75
White’s Antiques
Joseph & John Vickers & Company Ltd Gin, Antique Printed Advertising Sign
£ 175
Down Lane Hall Antiques
Early 20th Century Hand Painted Heraldic Sign / Coat of Arms Sign
£ 125
South Country Antiques
Original Lord Hill’s Bridge W2 Westminster Enamel Street Sign c.1967
£ 2,000
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
French Belle Époque Era Hand Painted Trade Sign in Original Condition 1870-1914
£ 520
White’s Antiques
Large Decorative British Heraldic Equestrian Trade Sign, Double-sided Hand-painted Saddler’s Sign, J. Miles & Son, Dorchester
£ 4,000
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Edwardian Milliner & Draper’s Hand‑Painted Shop Sign in Pine - early 20th Century
£ 850
White’s Antiques
