Early 20th Century Figural Pawnbroker Trade Sign

Antique wood and wrought iron figural trade sign for a pawnbroker. This piece takes the form of the classic "three-ball symbol" used by pawnbrokers. The design can be directly attributed to the Medici Family in Florence, an Italian banking family and political dynasty under the House of Medici, founded in 1230. The three-ball symbol, associated with pawn shops, traces back to Lombardy, Italy, where pawn banking began as "Lombard banking." The golden balls may have originated as flat images of gold coins but evolved into balls for visibility. In medieval Europe, pawn shops were often called "Lombards," after the Lombard banking community in London. Legend ties the symbol to the Medici family, who adopted it as a crest after a Medici, under Charlemagne, killed a giant with three bags of rocks. As successful bankers, the Medicis inspired other families to use the symbol. Additionally, Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of pawnbrokers, is linked to the three balls through a story of him gi