lightly cleaned and custom framed 19th century american single sided dentist trade sign salvaged from the dental office storefront of dr. j.j. smentek of new york city. the reinforced pine wood sign features oversized fanciful hand applied fine metallic-leaf or gilt paint lettering on a black "smaltzed" (paint mixed with sand) enameled background. the surface exhibits considerable wear. the trade sign took many forms in early america. when education was a privilege and literacy rare, the ideal trade sign immediately caught the attention of a passerby and, because of its design, was totally self-explanatory. folk artists, sometimes including itinerant portrait painters, created signs that bore pictures that visually explained the name of the establishment or the services to be found within. these signs usually carried pictures or lettering on both sides and were hung from a tall post at right angles to the road, so as to be visible to travelers approaching from either direction.