Apothecary's sign in wood, Europe, 1701-1900
The Greek god Apollo was the god of light and for this reason is associated with the Sun. Apollo was also a patron of medicine and healing and was said to be the judge of sickness and health. This may be why this apothecary’s shop sign is in the shape of a sun. As the numbering of houses and businesses was not standard practice until the 1800s, it was common for shop signs to use symbols to advertise their presence and to describe the type of trade carried out on the premises.
Object number:
A631330
Related Themes and Topics
Glossary:
Glossary: shop sign
Use broadly for signs identifying places of business.