Trade Sign, Wine Merchant

Exceptional 19th century American trade sign with large cluster of hand-carved grapes, original iron hanger, early paint and gilding.  Striking from every perspective, this unique example of early advertising directed passersby to a wine merchant’s shop or vineyard. 
Happily, the body of the sign has not been restored; the original curled ironwork hanger has been repainted more than once over the years.  Today, the sign bears mellow age-appropriate losses:  the gilding, in places, less gleaming than when new, while more weathered portions reveal the original red pigment traditionally applied beneath gilt work.  ­
 
To display the piece in its current location--without impinging upon the integrity of the 19th century workmanship--a local artisan created a detachable steel hanger allowing us to suspend the sign and its iron hanger from a wooden post.  (Alternative suspension methods are possible.)