Brewer's Sign thumbnail 1
On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

This object consists of 2 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Brewer's Sign

18th century (made)

Until the 19th century, trade-signs, often made of iron, enlivened many European streets. They acted as indicators of the sort of trade being carried out, or the goods being marketed within the premises. Signs also allowed private houses and institutions to be readily identified in a large town or city - particularly necessary before the 19th century introduction of house numbering and street signs and in an age when illiteracy was still widespread.

This particular example is a brewer's sign. Appropriately, it incorporates a malster's ladle and shovel, encircled by a wreath of hops. The malster was responsible for malting the grain; converting the grain into malt so that it could be used to brew beer. This sign is made of wrought iron and has been painted and gilded.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Brewer's Sign
  • Brewer's Sign
Materials and techniques
Wrought iron painted and gilded.
Brief description
Brewers sign, wrought iron, painted and gilded. Germany, 1700-1800.
Physical description
Brewers sign. Wrought iron, painted and gilded. German; 18th century. Incorporating a malster's ladle and shovel, encircled by a wreath of hops.
Dimensions
  • Approx. height: 63.7cm
  • Approx. width: 55.13cm
Subjects depicted
Summary
Until the 19th century, trade-signs, often made of iron, enlivened many European streets. They acted as indicators of the sort of trade being carried out, or the goods being marketed within the premises. Signs also allowed private houses and institutions to be readily identified in a large town or city - particularly necessary before the 19th century introduction of house numbering and street signs and in an age when illiteracy was still widespread.

This particular example is a brewer's sign. Appropriately, it incorporates a malster's ladle and shovel, encircled by a wreath of hops. The malster was responsible for malting the grain; converting the grain into malt so that it could be used to brew beer. This sign is made of wrought iron and has been painted and gilded.
Bibliographic reference
Philippa Glanville and Sophie Lee, eds., The Art of Drinking, V&A Publications, London, 2007, p. 23. ill. ISBN: 9781851775101
Collection
Accession number
M.603-1924

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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