Social History — Late 18th century
Sign, shop sign
The sign of an arm and a hammer was traditionally associated with the goldbeating trade. Goldbeaters beat gold into thin leaves for gilding. This gilded wooden sign was formerly hung outside the premises of the goldbeaters George M. Whiley Ltd on Whitfield Street in central London. The firm was originally established in the eighteenth century, and removed the sign when refurbishing its premises in 1914. Shop signs of this type became less common in London after the introduction of street numbering in the late eighteenth century.
- Category:
- Social History
- Object ID:
- 28.10
- Object name:
- sign, shop sign
- Artist/Maker:
- —
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- late 18th century
- Material:
wood, iron, gold
- Measurements/duration:
- H 780 mm, D 420 mm, W 630 mm weight 11.5kg
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.