Antique English Wrought Iron Pawn Broker’s Trade Sign

Description

RARE 19th Century likely hand forged wrought iron bracket with original three metal balls. Acquired at an estate sale of … more RARE 19th Century likely hand forged wrought iron bracket with original three metal balls. Acquired at an estate sale of an antique dealer’s private collection. This piece has not been altered, touched up, or repainted. The bracket and metal balls are in original weathered age showing great patina with the very light gold in some areas on the balls, primarily faded red undercoat, and some rust peeking through. This is a rare, one of kind sign to hang in your business or home!

HISTORY - "The pawnbroker's symbol shows three balls suspended from a bar. The three-ball symbol is attributed to the Medici Family of Florence, Italy, because of its symbolic meaning of Lombard, referring to the Italian province of Lombardy, where pawn shop banking originated under the name of Lombard banking. It is now as well established as anything of the kind can be that the three golden balls, which have for so long been the trade sign of the pawnbroker, were originally the symbol which medieval Lombard merchants hung up in front of their houses, and not, as has often been suggested, the arms of the Medici family. It has, indeed, been conjectured that the golden balls were originally three flat yellow effigies of byzants, or gold coins, laid heraldically upon a sable field, but that they were presently converted into balls the better to attract attention." less